Market Size (2019)
2019
$31.63B
Vertical: AnDBase Year: 20199 Sections
Market Size (2019)
2019
$31.63B
Projected (2026)
2026
$38.30B
CAGR (2019–2026)
2.8%
2.8%Key Players
108+
Helicopters are a type of aircraft that have rotors situated overhead, which generate lift. The market for helicopters is expected to gain traction in the coming years owing to the growing demand for helicopters in medical services. It is expected to register a 2.92% CAGR during the forecast period, 2020 to 2026. In 2019, the market was dominated by North America with a 34.52% share, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific with shares of 27.64% and 17.16%, respectively.
Market Attractiveness Analysis
Global Helicopters Market, By Component & System
GLOBAL HELICOPTERS MARKET, BY AIRFRAME
Global HELICOPTERS MARKET, BY TYPE
GLOBAL HELICOPTERS MARKET, BY APPLICATION
GLOBAL HELICOPTERS MARKET, BY Point of Sale
Global Helicopters Market, By Region
The Helicopters Market market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2019 to 2026.
Historical performance and future projections (2020–2030, USD Billion)
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View Subscription PlansHelicopters comprise component & system, including avionics, main rotor systems, aerostructures, transmission systems, and anti-torque systems. They are used in applications, including civil & commercial and military. Growing demand for lightweight helicopters is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.
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View Subscription PlansRESEARCH PROCESS
Market Research Future analysis is based on interviews with industry experts who offer insight into the market structure, market segmentation, technology assessment, competitive landscape (CL), market penetration, as well as the emerging trends. Besides primary interviews (~80%) and secondary research (~20%), their analysis is based on years of professional expertise in their respective industries. Our analysts also predict where the market will be headed in the next five to ten years by analyzing historical trends and the current market position. Furthermore, the varying trends in segments and categories in each region are studied and estimated based on primary and secondary research.
PRIMARY RESEARCH
Extensive primary research was conducted to gain a more in-depth insight into the market and industry performance. For this particular report, we have conducted primary surveys (interviews) with the key level executives (VPs, CEOs, marketing directors, and business development managers, among others) of the major players active in the market. In addition to analyzing the current and historical trends, our analysts predict where the market is headed in the next five years.
SECONDARY RESEARCH
Secondary research was mainly used to collect and identify information useful for an extensive, technical, market-oriented, and commercial study of the global helicopters market. It was also used to obtain key information about major players, market classification, and segmentation according to industry trends, geographic markets, and developments related to the market and technology. For this study, analysts have gathered information from various credible sources such as annual reports, SEC filings, journals, white papers, corporate presentations, company websites, international organizations, and paid databases.
MARKET SIZE ESTIMATION
Both the top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the market and to estimate the size of various other dependent sub-markets of the overall helicopters market. The key players in the market were identified through secondary research, and their market contributions in different applications across the globe were determined through primary and secondary research. This entire process included the study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews for key insights with industry leaders such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and marketing executives. All percentage shares split, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All the possible parameters that affect the market covered in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to arrive at the final quantitative and qualitative data. This data has been consolidated, and detailed inputs and analysis from Market Research Future are added before being presented in this report. The following figure shows an illustrative representation of the overall market size estimation process employed for this study.
Base Year
2019
Historical Period
2019 – 2019
Forecast Period
2019 – 2026
Primary Interviews
150+
Historical data (2019–2019) and forecast period (2019–2026)
Our research process spans primary interviews with industry stakeholders combined with comprehensive secondary data analysis, validated through triangulation across multiple independent sources.
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View Subscription PlansThreat of New Entrants
The global helicopters market is expected to grow at a significant pace during the forecast period due to rising demand for lightweight helicopters and increase in the use of helicopters for emergency medical services. However, the need for high investments and difficulty in forming a client base deter the entry of new vendors in the market to a certain extent. Moreover, the technological know-how required for helicopter manufacturing is high as present market players are continuously developing helicopters for high performance and heavy lift/load applications.
The eminent companies in the market, such Airbus SAS, Textron Inc., and Leonardo SpA, have established customer bases and a wide geographic reach, which makes it further difficult for new entrants to achieve economies of scale. Such factors are expected to result in the low threat of new entrants in the global helicopters market during the review period.
Bargaining Power of Suppliers
The capital and technological requirements for the manufacturing of helicopters for military and civil & commercial applications are very high; hence, there are limited raw material and component suppliers in the market. Manufacturers procure from suppliers who are reliable and offer raw materials and components with guaranteed quality and performance. Moreover, the vast availability of raw materials and medium differentiation in the prices of raw materials results in the moderate bargaining power of suppliers in the market.
Bargaining Power of Buyers
The buyers in the global helicopters market are military and commercial end users. The number of buyers is high in the global helicopters market. Buyers are highly reliant on successful and established manufacturers of helicopters. Moreover, there is moderate product differentiation in the market. In addition, manufacturers cannot easily switch between suppliers as they form long-term contracts with suppliers, which increases the switching cost. Hence, the bargaining power of buyers in the global helicopters market is projected to be low.
Threat of Substitutes
Helicopters offer vertical take-off and landing capability with which it can be used to travel to any location. Presently, there are no direct substitutes for the helicopters. Hence, the threat of substitutes in the global helicopters market is expected to be low during the assessment period.
Rivalry
There is intense competition among the existing players in the market, with manufacturers investing heavily in the R&D of high-quality, advanced, and cost-effective helicopters. Such companies are collaborating with key industry players to provide combined solutions and increase their global presence and market share. Furthermore, due to the increase in defense expenditure and the development of advanced helicopters, the rivalry for market share is set to increase. Thus, the intensity of rivalry in the market is projected to be high during the forecast period.
Market estimates by geography (2026)
InsightNorth America leads with $13.32B by 2026, while Asia Pacific is projected to grow fastest at a 3.8% CAGR.
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View Subscription Plans| REGION | 2019 | 2019 | 2026 | CAGR | SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South America | $2.67B | $2.96B | $2.92B | 1.3% | 8% |
| North America | $10.92B | $12.19B | $13.32B | 2.9% | 35% |
| Europe | $8.74B | $9.63B | $10.41B | 2.5% | 27% |
| Asia Pacific | $5.43B | $6.28B | $7.05B | 3.8% | 18% |
| Middle East and Africa | $3.87B | $4.10B | $4.60B | 2.5% | 12% |
| Total | $31.63B | $35.15B | $38.30B | 2.8% | 100% |
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View Subscription PlansTotal Market Size
$38.30B
| APPLICATION | REVENUE ($B) | GROWTH RATE | MARKET PENETRATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil & Commercial | $30.49B | 2.8% | 77% |
| Military | $7.81B | 2.8% | 89% |
* Revenue projections based on 2025 estimates. Growth rates represent CAGR 2024–2030. Market penetration indicates current adoption rate within addressable market segments.
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Analytical insights on Helicopters Market covering market dynamics, competitive landscape, and strategic outlook.
The Helicopters Market market is projected to reach $38.30B by 2026, growing at 2.8% CAGR. The Civil & Commercial segment holds the largest share.
The global helicopters market is growing at a rapid rate due to the defense modernization programs and increasing political instability and migration problems. However, vulnerabilities to cybersecurity and expensive development and maintenance of C5ISR systems and subsystems are some factors expected to hamper the growth of the market during the forecast period.
The use of helicopters is increasing for emergency medical services (EMS) as they offer specialized crew and necessary equipment for emergency situations. In remote locations and cases where time is of the essence, helicopter EMS (HEMS) play a vital role in saving lives. This has led the governments in various countries to support the implementation of helicopters as air ambulances. For example, in Tibet, Lhasa Xueying General Aviation Co., a joint venture between the Lhasa government and Nanjing-based Ruoer General Aviation, plans to offer helicopter emergency rescue services. The company started a project in 2017 to build three rescue bases, each with a flight radius of 300 kilometers, in remote locations in Tibet.
The use of helicopters as air ambulances enables the saving of lives by transporting critically injured and ill patients to hospitals in minimal time. With HEMS, the processes of diagnosis, decision-making, transportation, emergency stabilization, and critical care are no longer sequential, but occur simultaneously, thereby increasing the level of medical care received by the patient. Moreover, these services play a crucial role in densely populated areas where traffic congestion is a point of concern.
Hence, the use of helicopters for EMS is expected to drive market growth of the market during the review period.
In several countries, helicopter operators and manufacturers are started working in partnership to simplify the maintenance process. Helicopter manufacturers can partner with end users/operators for maintenance and other required services. The establishment of long-term contracts is beneficial to both parties as they help manufacturers provide customized services and increase revenue, while operators are assured to timely maintenance at reduced costs. While manufacturers have the required maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities that can be used for aftersales services, they presently offer these services on a need basis to operators and charge accordingly. This increases the cost of running the facility as well as maintenance costs for operators. However, alliances between helicopter manufacturers and operators would be a cost-effective solution. Helicopter operators, similar to airlines, can establish strategic relations with manufacturers for maintenance activities, which would considerably reduce operating costs and ensure the safety of flight operations. This is also an effective approach for helicopter manufacturers to understand the specific needs of operators.
Therefore, alliances with helicopter operators offer market players lucrative growth opportunities.
The manufacturers of civil helicopters are required to follow stringent regulations set by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These regulations cover helicopter design, production, and maintenance and have been adopted by aviation authorities across the globe. For example, manufacturers of helicopters have to obtain noise certifications from the ICAO for all helicopters operating in the US as of 2014. The FAA allows manufacturers to upgrade their Stage 1 and Stage 2 certified helicopters to Stage 3 before applying for this certificate.
Helicopter OEMs also need to be certified in accordance with design, manufacturing, quality, emission standards, and safety policies. The certification process also differs with the intended application. The lengthy and complicated approvals process extends the time to market for manufacturers. Moreover, changes in the regulatory framework are a major concern for manufacturers as they may affect processes.
In addition, globally there is a need to reduce pollution levels caused by carbon emissions. This has led governments and aviation associations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to institute measures to curb air pollution. The adoption of smart, renewable energy such as biofuels, solar, water, and wind and electric energy is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by over 15%, globally.
These factors are expected to hinder the growth of the helicopters market to some extent.
Ongoing research and development to develop new technologies are expected to revolutionize helicopters with improved performance and efficiency. However, the high cost of any newly developed technology tends to be high during its early adoption period. For example, the cost new technologies such as, electronic flight instruments (EFI), electro-optical and infrared systems (EOIR), autopilot systems, hybrid-electric propulsion, and advanced cockpits is very high. This high cost associated with new technology increases overall cost of the helicopter. Hence, high cost associated with new technology presents significant challenge for growth of the market.
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Profiles of 108 companies operating in the Helicopters Market market, including revenue, employee count, and market positioning where available.
Showing 108 of 108 companies
Aviation Industry Corporation of China
Company Headquarters: China Founded: 2008 Workforce: ~450,000 Company Working: Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) was founded in 2008 through the restructuring and consolidation of the China Aviation Industry Corporation Ⅰ (AVIC I) and the China Aviation Industry Corporation Ⅱ (AVIC Ⅱ). The company provides services to customers in many sectors— from R&D to operation, manufacturing, and financing. The company’s business units include transport and defense aircraft, helicopters, avionics and systems, general aviation, R&D, flight testing, trade and logistics, assets management, finance services, automobile, and others. AVIC has 100 subsidiaries, 28 listed companies, and more than 450,000 employees.
Robinson Helicopter Company
Company Headquarters: Torrance, California, US Founded: 1973 Workforce: ~1,300 Company Working: Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson Helicopter) manufactures helicopters and operates through three business divisions, namely, helicopters, services, and training. Over the years, the company has developed an extensive range of civil helicopters, ranging between the economical and easy-to-maintain R66 turbine and the high-performance four-seater R44 Raven II. Robinson Helicopter offers assembly, manufacture, inspection, and flight testing of its helicopters. It also offers a factory overhaul program for older helicopter fleets. As of 2018, the company delivered over 12,000 helicopters globally, with more than 400 service centers and dealers.
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation
Company Headquarters: Menominee, Michigan, US Founded: 1939 Workforce: ~500 Company Working: Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom) is involved in the designing and development of light and single-engine helicopters for both government and commercial customers. The company offers safe and advanced helicopters that are equipped with rugged airframes, high-inertia rotor systems, and robust landing gears. The helicopters manufactured by the company are suitable for public safety, firefighting, military operations, emergency medical services, pilot training, and private transportation.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Company Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Founded: 1940 Workforce: ~28,345 Company Working: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company. It is involved in the designing and development of several types of aircraft, such as military helicopters, civil helicopters, fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, and trainer aircraft. HAL also develops aircraft avionics and accessories, such as ground handling equipment, ground support equipment, and specialized test equipment. The company also manufactures landing gear equipment, fuel control systems, and power control systems. HAL has 20 production divisions and 11 co-located R&D centers in cities, such as Nasik, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Korwa.
Boeing
Company Headquarters: US Founded: 1916 Workforce: ~ 156,000 Company Working: Boeing Company's Défense, Space & Security (BDS) is a business unit that specializes in the production, maintenance, and improvement of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, commercial and government satellites, human spaceflight programs, and weapons. BDS is a renowned global leader in the defence and space industry, with core competencies in the development, production, and mission-critical upgrades of comprehensive solutions. Its primary markets include aeronautics, space, and weapons. BDS is committed to delivering innovative, digitally advanced, and highly efficient solutions to its customers. Its expertise lies in the production and integration of complex systems that provide integrated solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers. BDS is a highly skilled and experienced contractor that delivers advanced solutions in the fields of defence, space, and security, with an emphasis on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
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Helicopters Market