Page 54 - World Airnews Magazine April 2021

HELICOPTERS

HELICOPTER MARKET

EXPECTED TO GROW

By Derek Nseko

from 2022 onwards did not fair much better, also recording a
But major global OEMs largely reported decline in revenues as a result of slower
The first half of 2020 was the worst lower numbers, both in terms of deliveries demand.
helicopter market in over 40 years, but the and new orders. According to parent company Textron,
industry has shown incredible resilience, A combined analysis of the performance Bell’s fourth quarter recorded 57 deliveries
bouncing back in Q3 and Q4 of leading global OEMs Robinson, from 76 in the same period the previous
According to experts, the global Leonardo, Bell, and Airbus showed that year. For the full year 2020, Bell delivered
commercial helicopters market size is deliveries of new civilian helicopters fell 140 commercial helicopters compared to
expected to grow from (US) $24.74 billion from 564 for the first three quarters in 201 in 2019.
in 2020 to (US) $26.94 billion in 2021 , an 2019 to 426 for the same period in 2020. Key sectors of the rotorcraft market,
impressive rate of 8.9%. For other relatively smaller OEMs such offshore energy, air ambulance, and law
This growth is mainly due to a gradual as Enstrom, Helicopteres and Guimbal, the enforcement continue to be affected as
recovery from the effects of the global drop was even more dramatic. another tough year for aviation rolls out.
pandemic and a reinvention of business Airbus continues to take a significantly This will have a knock on effect in
models in the industry. large share of the helicopter market, the the entire helicopter market. Overall
In the longer term the outlook looks global giant received 289 gross orders helicopter utility dropped significantly
optimistic with the market expected to in 2020 and completed 300 deliveries. in 2020 with the offshore market facing
reach (US) $31.94 billion in 2025, a growth This reflected a 48 percent share of the a worrying contraction. However, the
rate of 4.3%. world civil and parapublic market. But the firefighting sector enjoyed some growth
The slow down created by covid-19 numbers are still a decline from 2019 when with helicopters like the Sikorsky S-92 and
created a buyer’s market especially in the the company received 369 orders and 332 Airbus H225 having a positive rebound.
pre-owned segment with retail numbers deliveries to hold a 54 percent share of the
growing by 10% year on year, the sharpest global helicopter market. OFFSHORE
increase in a long time and recording the Despite the 2019-2020 decline, Airbus Experts believe that the sector is loaded
biggest volume of sales in over four years. still increased its 2020 revenues by four with capacity, too many players with
But how did the OEMs perform? percent thanks to strong military support. excess equipment and that mergers and
According to Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno By comparison, manufacturer Leonardo acquisitions could provide a solution going
Even, current aircraft production is largely delivered 111 helicopters in 2020, a decline forward. Industry voices have reiterated
supported by orders placed in previous of 29% from 156 deliveries in 2019 and that the sector will indeed benefit from
years and ongoing government support. CFO Alessandra Genco is not optimistic consolidation.
While current production has not been about the short time future and said, The offshore market is nevertheless
severely affected, existing orders will reach “Demand will not get back to 2019 levels expected to rebound and have a slow
completion towards the end of 2021 and as for some time” gradual growth trajectory for the next few
a result he anticipates a relative shortfall Another prominent manufacturer, Bell years.

World Airnews | April Extra 2021
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