Toronto, Canada-based helicopter brokerage firm Aero Asset has released its second quarter 2021 Heli Market Trends report, compiling preowned retail sales and supply trends for 13 twin-engine models in the light, medium and heavy categories.

The report indicates 15 per cent stronger preowned twin engine helicopter retail sales volume in the first half of 2021 while available inventory shrank as the supply of helicopters for sale fell 10 per cent year over year.

After trailing Europe last year, North America led in terms of transaction volume, accounting for half of global preowned twin engine helicopter transactions to date in 2021. VIP configured sales volume led the way, with an increase of 40 per cent year over year.

“Light twin engine retail sales jumped nearly 40 per cent in the first two quarters of 2021, and medium twin sales 25 per cent,” comments Aero Asset VP of market research Valerie Pereira. “Heavy helicopter sales, however, slumped during the same period.”

Pereira also noted that after two consecutive quarters of growth in the number of deals pending at various stages of transaction, the deal pipeline decreased by 35 per cent in the second quarter compared to the first. However, the number of deals pending in the pipeline were up 15 per cent year to date versus the same period in 2021.

The most liquid preowned market year to date was the Leonardo AW109S/SP, closely followed by the EC/H145.