Market Trends – Civil Helicopter Fleet Report YE 2020

The Asia-Pacific’s civil turbine helicopter fleet stood at 4,385 as of yearend 2020 – an increase of around 1.8% from the 4,307 helicopters at the end of 2019. The fleet witnessed total net growth of 78 units in 2020, attributed to 98 new deliveries, 93 pre-owned additions and 113 deductions. Deductions included out-of-region transactions, helicopter retirements, and units being placed in storage. Of the 113 deduction, 50(44%) were more than 20 years old. A total of 38 helicopters changed operating bases within the region, with no impact to the total number of the regional fleet.

The number of new deliveries, which had reduced in 2019, saw a further reduction in 2020, with 21 fewer new helicopters being delivered in 2020 when compared to the preceding year. Mainland China saw the most new deliveries, with 54 helicopter deliveries in 2020, followed by Japan and Australia with 15 and 11, respectively.

Bell Helicopter had the most new deliveries into the Asia-Pacific region in 2020 – 38 (39%) units. Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo came next with 25 (26%) and 11 (11%), respectively. In total, 63 (65%) newly delivered helicopters had a Utility configuration and were used for Multi-Mission operations. The Bell 505, which was the most popular newly delivered helicopter in 2019, experienced the steepest drop in the number of new deliveries in 2020 – a fall of 12 units. Therefore, the Bell 407 took over from the Bell 505 as the most popular new delivered helicopter model in 2020 – 22 units (22%). The Airbus H125 came next with nine (9%) new deliveries.

There were 93 pre-owned additions in 2020 – down from 112 in 2019. Of the pre-owned additions, 46 units (50%) were Airbus Helicopters, 24 units (26%) were Bell, and 12 units (13%) were Leonardo. The Airbus H125 was the most popular pre-owned addition with 14 units (15%), followed by the Airbus H225 with nine units (10%).

There were 113 fleet deductions in 2020. Of these, 53 units (47%) were Airbus Helicopters, 23 units (20%) were Bell, and 17 units (15%) were Leonardo. The Airbus H125 saw the largest deduction from the Asia-Pacific fleet – with 20 units (18%), followed by the Leonardo AW139 with 14 units (12%).

The regional fleet has been growing y-o-y since 2014 and the growth is expected to continue in 2021, albeit at a slower pace.