Honeywell is projecting that 4,450 new civil-use turbine-powered helicopters will go into service worldwide in the next five years, with corporate, emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement customers accounting for more than 65% of those sales.
“Estimated civil helicopter deliveries were up 25-30% in 2007 and are expected to rise again in 2008, as helicopter manufacturers increase production to satisfy strong demand for new aircraft around the world,” says Honeywell in its 10th civil helicopter purchase outlook.
The four main turbine-powered rotorcraft manufacturers – Eurocopter, Bell Helicopter, AgustaWestland and Sikorsky – produced 813 civil helicopters in 2007, according to company reports.
Honeywell's civil turbine-powered helicopter delivery forecast for 2008-2018
Honeywell forecasts that global demand for civil helicopters could exceed 10,000 units during the 2008-2018 period, with sales in the first five years up 50% as compared to the 2003-2007 timeframe.
The company attributes near-term demand to “ongoing strong worldwide demand for corporate, EMS, law enforcement, oil and gas and utility helicopters, expanding economies in emerging regions, the strength of many international currencies and continued exploration and support activity in oil producing regions.”
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From a global perspective, demand for new helicopters will come primarily from North America (40%), followed by Europe (20%), Asia Pacific and Latin America (18%) and the Africa/Middle East region (4%).
In North America, Honeywell predicts 20% of sales will be for law enforcement, 20% for corporate, 23% for utility operators and 26% for EMS.
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
