Bumper Q4 for rotorcraft deliveries reports GAMA

The Airbus H125 was the most delivered rotorcraft in 2025 with 136 units.

Fourth-quarter (Q4) 2025 was a blockbuster quarter for rotorcraft, with 326 deliveries, a 56% increase on Q3 (209), according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) 2025 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report.

Helicopter shipments in 2025, when compared with 2024, saw piston helicopters at 206 units, and preliminary turbine helicopters at 732 units, a decrease of four and fourteen units respectively. 

The preliminary value of helicopter deliveries for 2025 was $4.7bn, an increase of approximately 5.5%.

James Viola, GAMA president and CEO, said: “The state of the general aviation manufacturing industry remains steadfast. We continue to see robust numbers of total aircraft delivered as well as annual billings eclipsing $35bn, the highest it has ever been. While some segments are seeing marginal declines in deliveries, they are all still above 2019 levels.”

The Airbus H125/H125M was the single most delivered helicopter model with 136 units, solidifying its status as a workhorse staple, the report stated. 

The Airbus H160 demonstrated strong growth with 29 deliveries for the year, including 12 in Q4.

Robinson’s R44 Raven II was the top-selling piston helicopter by a wide margin with 122 deliveries, more than double the next highest piston model — Robinson’s R66 with 76 deliveries.

Leonardo Helicopters delivered 113 units in Q3 (Q4 data was not yet available at publication), with the AW139 its top model, accounting for 47 units. 

At Bell, the 505 was the most delivered model with 84 units, pointing to its success in the light single-engine market.

Elsewhere among smaller manufacturers, French OEM Hélicoptères Guimbal delivered 20 of its Cabri G2 trainers. While Enstrom Helicopter Corp reported minimal activity with 2 deliveries (F28F/280FX) in Q1 and none for the rest of the year.