The 2023 Half Year Heli Market Trends Report, single engine helicopter edition, by Toronto-based helicopter trading firm Aero Asset, has revealed declining sales volume and rising supply for sale leading to a higher absorption rate compared to the same period in 2022.

“Retail sales of 58 units, valued at $132 million, decreased 60 per cent in the first half of 2023 in comparison to the same period in 2022,” says VP of market research Valerie Pereira. “Supply for sale ended 70 per cent higher year over year at 108 units available on the market, and the absorption rate increased to 8.5 months of supply at current trade levels.”

Interestingly, average asking price remained strong, up 11 per cent year over year, buoyed by arrival of low time helicopters on the market. The average trading price also remained strong against a firm OEM lead time backdrop, increasing 23 per cent year over year.

The most liquid pre-owned single engine helicopter market during the first half of 2023 was the Bell 407/GX/P/I, followed by the Airbus AS350 B3/B3e/H125 and the Airbus EC130 B4/H130. The least liquid pre-owned market during the first half was the Leonardo AW119K/Ke/Kx, with an absorption rate of 14 months.

During the first half of 2023, there was robust demand for singles in North America as buyers there accounted for two-thirds of all pre-owned single engine helicopter transactions. At the same time, retail sales in Europe dropped 75 per cent year over year. Europe and North America together accounted for two thirds of the worldwide supply for sale.

This Heli Market Trends Report covers high end pre-owned single engine helicopters in production and variants with recent pre-owned sales activity. Its data does not include sales of new aircraft, leases, sale-leasebacks, early buy outs, sales to government or part-out. The full report can be downloaded from the Aero Asset website.

The report also includes a conversation with Carolyn Forsyth, Heli-Oe general manager of sales, commercial and customer support. She was previously the regional sales director for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Forsyth came to Heli-One after nearly 15 years with Pratt & Whitney Canada, where she was general manager of the company's aftermarket engine sales and leasing division. Her previous experience includes commercial positions in helicopter operations and maintenance with CHC, Bond Helicopters and Rotortech. She holds an MBA from McGill University in Montreal and a BCom from Edinburgh University.