Toronto, Canada-headquartered helicopter sales and market intelligence firm Aero Asset has released its 2023 Heli Market Trends Twin-Engine edition. This popular annual report features proprietary market intelligence and analysis, providing buyers and sellers with valuable insight into the global pre-owned twin engine helicopter market.

Vice president of market research Valerie Pereira says 2023 saw fewer twin engine helicopter deals than 2022 and a stable supply of helicopters for sale: “Our data shows that retail sales volume for twin engine helicopters decreased by 12 per cent in 2023 versus 2022. Yet supply remained constant year over year and the absorption rate increased for the first time in three years to 14 months of supply at current trade levels.”

When broken down by weight class, retail sales in the light twin engine helicopter market declined eight per cent and supply for sale increased 15 per cent YOY. In the medium twin market, both retail sales and supply declined. In the heavy twin market, supply was stable YOY and retail sales increased 36 per cent over the same period.

The average transaction price (ATP) of twin engine helicopters remained resilient in 2023. The ATP for medium twins declined three per cent, but the ATP for both light and heavy twins increased 18 per cent, resulting overall in a 10 per cent higher ATP YOY.

In the last year, there were noticeable shifts in retail sales and supply of twin engine helicopters by region. North America and Europe saw the most significant drops in retail sales volume. These two regions accounted for 75 per cent of total retail sales in 2022 but only 50 per cent in 2023. Retail sales volume in all other regions increased during the same period. Supply for sale in North America and Europe represented 64 per cent in 2023, a 20 per cent increase from 2022. Twin engine supply in all other regions decreased YOY.

In 2023, the best-performing twin engine helicopter in the pre-owned market was the Bell 429, followed by the Leonardo A109E Power. The Sikorsky S92A and Leonardo AW109S/SP shared third place, with absorption rates under six months of supply at the current transaction volume. The slowest-performing preowned twin markets were the Leonardo AW169 and Sikorsky S76D.

At the end of Q4 2023, there were 40 deals pending at various stages of transaction. This was 75 per cent higher than Q4 2022 and represents the highest amount of twin engine helicopter deals pending that has been recorded in the last five years.

The Heli Market Trends 2023 Twin-Engine edition report, with all its data and analysis, as well as an interview with technical and safety executive at the European Helicopter Association Ollie Dismore, can be downloaded from Aero Asset’s website.