Rotortrade: ‘Everybody wants more choppers’ as market shifts

Helicopter demand is assured for the next for the next three to five years years, says Philippe Lubrano, CEO of Rotortrade.

“Everybody wants more choppers,” says Philippe Lubrano, CEO, Rotortrade. “I don’t see any slowdown in this industry for the next three to five years.” Speaking in the company’s latest video message – 2026 Mid-Year Helicopter Market Review – Lubrano said: “After several years favouring buyers, the global helicopter market has shifted firmly into a seller’s market.”

Extended OEM delivery lead times, growing replacement demand – boosting the value of pre-owned helicopters – and continued investment in critical missions are key trends reshaping the industry in the second half of 2026, he said. “Most of the OEMs are having longer sleep time on the most popular aircraft, like the one we have right behind, like the [AW]139, but also the [Airbus H]145. You can see that now you have to wait a couple of years to get a new machine.”

Acquisition and delivery

In response, Rotortrade is adapting its acquisition and delivery strategy to help customers secure aircraft despite ongoing supply constraints. In stock, Rotortrade has two-to-five-year old H160s, AW139s and H145s.

But geopolitical tensions were also shaping helicopter operators acquisition strategies, he said. “The conflict in the Middle East has raised some slowdown in terms of investment. What clients might decide to do is maybe come up with a lease instead of an acquisition, which we support as well, even short-term lease.”

This was particularly useful for newer models like the H160, where buyers wanted to gauge the aircraft’s suitability for their operations. But Lubrano added: “There is no issue as far as we’re concerned for performance [of the H160]. We have experienced that aircraft for the last four years, so we know it.”

However, short term leases offered flexibility to prospective buyers. “We can give the opportunity to any client to try them. So short-term leases of two to three years becomes a possibility on that type, so clients can really assess the aircraft and see if they want to move on with the acquisition,” he said.

It’s not just legacy fleet aircraft that need replacing, there significant growth in the critical missions category, said Lubrano. There’s rising demand in the parapublic sector alongside more demand for military models.

“Since the production lines are similar between the civil and the military, it gives us less opportunities to order more aircraft,” he added. But Rotortrade, parent company THC and Heliconia – the African aviation services operator acquired last November – are now managing a group acquisition strategy. “We’re trying to anticipate our orders as a group, between THC and Rotor Trade and Heliconia. We’ve joined the family since early this year to find solutions to maximise our acquisition, whether it’s going to be leased, whether it’s going to be upgraded, or whether it’s going to be financed.”

Firefighting rotorcraft

Turning to helicopter operations, Lubrano highlighting rapidly rising demand for firefighting rotorcraft – particularly in Europe and the US. Rotortrade is preparing for sustained demand from this sector.

But it is emergency medical services (EMS) that offers the greatest potential for growth. Rotortrade reports rising worldwide demand. “EMS remains a dominant factor on the helicopter industry and ecosystem. Whether you’re in Asia-Pacific, the United States, or Europe, everybody requires more helicopters,” he said.

“Number one, because you have aircraft that are reaching 10 to 15 years of age and they need to be replaced, but also people want more modern [aircraft], people want more cabin, and they are prepared to pay a bit more to get basically a better working platform.” Rotortrade is finishing a number of EMS conversions on its own aircraft to satisfy client demand.

Meanwhile, watch Lubrano’s video message here and learn about Rotortrade’s “strong start” to helicopter sales, leasing and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations here.

Rotortrade’s 2026 Mid-Year Helicopter Market – at a glance

• OEM lead times rising, making high-quality pre-owned aircraft more valuable
• Demand “exceptionally strong”, with no significant slowdown expected over the next five years.
• Flexible leasing solutions are becoming more attractive option, particularly for next-gen aircraft such as the Airbus H160.
• EMS continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments worldwide.