The Middle East and Africa lead all regions in new purchase rates, with up to 32% of respondent fleets slated for turnover with a new helicopter replacement or addition, stated the report by Honeywell Aerospace, the largest manufacturer of aircraft engines and other aviation products used in the industry.
Overall, the five-year demand for turbine-powered, civil helicopters remains steady versus 2014 five-year forecast, said the company.
The forecast estimates the five-year share of demand from the US and Canada at 34 per cent, up nearly eight points on stronger North American buying plans. When combined with Latin America, the Western Hemisphere represents 53% of the five-year global demand.
Europe’s share tallies 24%, with the Asia-Oceania region accounting for 14%, and Africa and the Middle East contributing 9%.
“Near-term demand appears stable despite a pullback in 2014 deliveries and ongoing concerns with the energy sector. Purchase interest for helicopters in training, tourism, firefighting and law enforcement categories is trending up, influenced by increased utilization rates and helicopter replacement cycles. Interest across these mission sectors is helping to sustain near-term demand. Looking ahead, several new platforms are scheduled to enter service over the next few years, also bolstering overall helicopter demand,” noted Mike Madsen, the President of Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace.
North American purchase expectations rose seven points in this year’s survey and provided a strong base of demand for light single and twin-engine platforms.
Planned improvement in North American purchases is a significant finding of the 2015 survey and helps support overall industry demand projections by virtue of the large fleet active in North America.
European purchase plans also increased despite ongoing weakness in reported Russian buying plans. The sample of Russian operators responding in 2014 fell to very low levels. European purchase intentions currently tend to favor light single-engine and medium twin-engine models.
Latin America continues to have strong fleet replacement and growth expectations, well above the world average, but 2015 results were a few points lower than the prior year.
In terms of projected regional demand for new helicopters, Latin America is contributing the third highest demand among the regions tracked, trailing North America and Europe by a modest margin.
Latin American respondents currently favor light single-engine models and a balance of light and medium twin-engine platforms.
Demand in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) continues to ebb and flow with stronger results recorded for India in the 2015 survey, while planned Brazilian and Chinese purchase rates slipped moderately, reflecting near-term slower economic growth prospects, said the report.
In both cases, new helicopter purchase-plan rates still exceed the world average, it added.
