Aero Asset sees twin-engine helicopter supply hit five-year low

Aero Asset’s new midyear report says global preowned twin-engine helicopter retail sales rose 8% in the first half of 2026 while supply for sale fell 33% to a five-year low. The tighter market pushed the absorption rate to 11 months and helped lift median transaction prices 6% year over year.

Why it matters: - The preowned twin-engine helicopter market is tilting toward sellers as inventory tightens and prices strengthen. - Lower supply and faster absorption can improve pricing power for owners, operators and lessors. - The report is a market readout for buyers, sellers, financiers and OEMs tracking liquidity across helicopter classes.

What happened: - Aero Asset released its 2026 Half Year Heli Market Trends Twin-Engine edition covering the global preowned twin-engine helicopter market in the first half of 2026. - Retail sales rose 8% year over year. - Supply for sale fell 33% to the lowest level in five years. - The absorption rate improved from 18 months a year ago to 11 months.

The details: - Median transaction prices increased 6% year over year across the market. - Heavy twin median transaction pricing reached a five-year high. - Light and medium twin pricing posted mixed results. - Medium and heavy twin markets recorded stronger retail activity. - Light twin sales softened. - Supply tightened across all three asset classes. - Light twin and medium twin inventory both reached five-year lows. - North America remained the largest retail transaction market, with 46% of global transactions. - Europe posted the strongest retail sales growth, up 75% year over year. - Europe also held the largest concentration of available supply for sale. - Liquidity was strongest in the Airbus EC/H135 and EC/H145 markets. - The Leonardo AW109S/SP, Bell 429 and Sikorsky S76C+/C++ followed in liquidity. - The Airbus EC155B1/H155 and Sikorsky S76D ranked as the weakest-performing markets among the twin-engine models tracked. - Aero Asset’s report is available at the latest report. - The download includes a conversation with Steve Borrowdale, Managing Director and Accountable Manager of Multiflight.

Between the lines: - Valérie Pereira, Aero Asset’s vice president of market research, said the most important shift was the continued contraction in supply for sale. - Pereira said the combination of five-year-low supply and stronger pricing is creating a favorable environment for sellers. - The improving absorption rate suggests the market is moving toward balance rather than excess inventory.

What's next: - Market participants will likely watch whether tighter supply continues into the second half of 2026. - Pricing and liquidity trends could stay uneven across light, medium and heavy twin segments. - Regional differences may remain pronounced if North America keeps leading transactions while Europe holds the deepest supply.

The bottom line: - Twin-engine helicopter inventory is shrinking, sales are rising and pricing is firming — a setup that currently favors sellers over buyers.