Helicopter singles market shows tightening supply & strong liquidity: Aero Asset

Aero Asset reports tightening supply for single engine helicopters in the first half of this year.

The market for single-engine helicopters shows tightening supply and strong liquidity, according to the latest report from rotary sales and market intelligence firm Aero Asset.

“Although transaction activity declined during the first half of the year, the market remained healthy,” said Valérie Pereira, vice president of Market Research. “Inventory tightened faster than demand softened, supporting pricing stability and liquidity. Buyer demand remained active for quality aircraft, while sellers benefited from one of the lowest supply levels observed in recent years.”

Pricing remained resilient during the first half of this year despite softer transaction activity. Median transaction prices fell modestly year on year (YOY). This reflects the continued balance between limited inventory and disciplined buyer demand rather than pricing pressure across the market, said Pereira. The sold-to-asking-price ratio also stayed strong, showing sellers achieved values close to market expectations.

Singles sold on average about 12% below asking price. “This was a level consistent with a healthy negotiating environment where well-maintained aircraft continued to attract qualified buyers and transact within reasonable marketing periods,” said Pereira.

North American market remained the largest retail market during the first half of 2026, accounting for the majority of completed sales transactions. The APAC market had the most supply for sale in the first half of the year, followed by Europe. Sales decreased across all regions with the Latin American market experiencing the biggest drop of about 50% YOY.

Inventory for sale fell across most regions YOY in line with global trends. Buyers continued to compete for a limited number of aircraft.

Liquidity remained strongest in the Airbus AS350 B3/B3e/H125 market, followed by the Bell 407/GX/P/I markets. The Airbus EC130 B4/H130 market recorded the weakest liquidity metrics among the tracked single-engine helicopter models, with an estimated absorption rate of 1.3 years.

Aero Asset’s 2026 Half Year Heli Market Trends Single-Engine Edition was published today. The report examines retail sales activity, supply, pricing, regional market dynamics and liquidity trends across the industry’s most actively traded single-engine helicopter models.

Meanwhile, read the company’s previous single-engine helicopter market report here.