The annual 2022 Heli Market Trends by Toronto, Canada-based helicopter trading firm Aero Asset reports transactions for preowned twin engine helicopters were down four per cent last year. Though the rate at which supply dropped in 2022 slowed, helicopters available for sale retracted 11 per cent compared to the previous year, leaving the absorption rate at its lowest point in four years.

“North America and Europe accounted for 73 per cent of twin engine helicopter resale activity in 2022; Europe saw a 20 per cent decline in transaction volume year over year,” notes Valerie Pereira, Aero Asset VP market research. “Sales of aircraft 20 years and older experienced a strong resurgence in 2022, compared to the previous year.”

During 2022, the market saw 171 preowned twin engine helicopter retail sales, an annual decline of four per cent. However, the value of these transactions at $558 million was up two per cent year over year. The number of deals pending at various stages of transaction in the fourth quarter increased by 35 per cent, compared to 2021. However, the deal pipeline remained on average 15 per cent lower compared to 2020 and 2019.

The best performing preowned twin engine market in 2022 was the Airbus EC/H135, followed by the EC/H145 and the Sikorsky S76C+/C++. The worst performing preowned twin markets were the Leonardo AW169 and Sikorsky S76D markets, with no preowned retail sales last year. The biggest drop in the lineup was the Bell 429, which ranked No. 2 in 2021 but No. 10 in 2022.

Supply for sale continued to decrease in all asset classes through 2022, with medium and heavy twin engine retail sales stable year over year. Light twin retail sales declined 10 per cent over the same period.