Despite Slow Market Conditions In 2016, 60 Civil And Parapublic Helicopter Deliveries Account For 50 Percent Of Market

Airbus Helicopters report they solidified their position as the North American market leader in civil and parapublic helicopters in 2016 despite a difficult market environment that saw a dramatic decline in total industry orders.

The companies delivered a combined 60 new helicopters to the civil and parapublic market in 2016, 50 percent of the total deliveries in North America. The two companies booked a total of 64 orders for new aircraft, or an estimated 73 percent of all new helicopter bookings in North America. In both deliveries and bookings, the companies increased their share of the North America helicopter market.

The solid performance in a down market reflects the value that customers place on the quality, productivity, and reliability of Airbus products, as well as a strong, ongoing commitment to improving customer support and all facets of the “Airbus Experience” for helicopter operators, said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and head of the North America region.

“The North America team did an outstanding job of both bringing in new business and meeting commitments to existing customers in 2016,” said Emerson. “This is a sign that customers appreciate our strengthened commitment to providing both a high quality helicopter and outstanding service at every step of the sales and delivery process, as well as world-class customer support once the aircraft is in operation. Despite the challenging market conditions orders were booked from 20 new customers, including five that had not previously owned or operated a helicopter.”

New aircraft orders in 2016 included 33 H125 AStars built in the United States. The H125, which is produced by Airbus Helicopters Inc. at its plant in Columbus, Miss., is the highest performance single-engine helicopter available and is a market leader for law enforcement, air medical transport, utility and corporate/VIP customers. The Airbus H145 is quickly becoming a strong player in the North American market with seven orders in 2016. Airbus also booked orders for five earlier models in the H145 family, nine H130s and seven H135s.

(Source: Airbus Helicopters news release. Images from file)

FMI: www.airbushelicopters.com