A newly published report shows retail helicopter sales volume decreased by 50 per cent in 2023 versus 2022, while the supply of single engine helicopters for sale ended 30 per cent higher. The average asking price increased four per cent and the average transaction price increased 13 per cent, but the absorption rate deteriorated through 2023, ending the year at a reasonable one year of supply at current trade levels.

The data comes from Aero Asset's Heli Market Trends 2023 Single Engine edition, which features proprietary market intelligence and analysis of the global pre-owned single engine helicopter market.

"In 2023, pricing for single engine helicopters remained strong, even though retail sales volume reached its lowest level in three years," says vice president of market research Valerie Pereira.

The North American market saw the lion's share of retail buyers. North America accounted for 62 per cent of transactions last year followed by Latin America at 14 per cent, Asia Pacific at 12 per cent and Europe at nine per cent, with the remaining spread worldwide. Retail transactions to Europe dropped 70 per cent.

At the end of 2023, the region with the largest share of supply of single engine helicopters for sale was Europe at 36 per cent, followed by North America at 22 per cent, Asia Pacific and Latin America both at 17 per cent respectively and the rest of the world taking up the remaining eight per cent.

The most liquid pre-owned single engine helicopter market in 2023 was the Bell 407/GX/P/I, followed by the Airbus AS350 B3/B3e/H125 and the Leonardo AW119K/Ke/Kx. The least liquid was the Airbus EC130 B4/H130.

The report with all its data and analysis, as well as an interview with SaxonAir CEO Alex Durand, can be downloaded from the Aero Asset website.