The 2021 annual Heli Market Trends report released by Toronto, Canada-based helicopter trading firm Aero Asset reveals a 25 per cent increase in retail sale volume year over year, as well as a strong decline in supply and absorption rate.

“In line with a very positive 2021 market performance, the number of twin engine helicopters on the market at the end of Q4 2021 shrunk by 26 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier,” says VP of market research Valerie Pereira. “At the same time, the deal pipeline has dried up, with a 40 per cent decline to 17 units in the fourth quarter. However, the pipeline remained relatively stable over the last three quarters of the year.”

The supply of pre-owned twin helicopters decreased in all asset weight classes through 2021. Light and medium twin engine retail sales volume increased nearly 40 per cent year over year, while heavy retail sales declined by half over the same period.

The absorption rate, or the amount of supply at current trade volume, was at one year at the end of Q4 2021, a decline of eight months year over year and its lowest point in three years.

North American and European sales accounted for nearly 70 per cent of total transactions in 2021, while North America saw its transaction volume increase by 65 per cent year over year. The sales volume of VIP configurations rose 20 per cent year over year and utility helicopter sales rose 40 per cent.

For the third consecutive year, the best performing pre-owned twin engine helicopter market was the Airbus EC/H145. It was followed by the Bell 429 and the Leonardo A109S/SP. The worst performing pre-owned twin market was the Airbus EC/H225, with a 50 per cent drop in sales volume year over year.