Press Release
Contact: Douglas Royce
Phone: (203) 426-0800
Fax: (203) 426-4262
Web site: www.forecast1.com
E-mail: Douglas.Royce@forecast1.com
Forecast International, Inc.
22 Commerce Rd. Newtown, CT 06470 USA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Robinson and Eurocopter Projected to Lead Light
Commercial Helicopter Production
NEWTOWN, Conn.
— [Sept. 20, 2007] In its new study titled “The
Market for Light Commercial Rotorcraft 2007-2016,” Forecast International
projects that manufacturers will deliver some 14,200 rotorcraft to the light
commercial rotorcraft market during the ten year period covered by the study,
including 6,891 rotorcraft powered by piston engines and 7,311 powered by
turboshafts.
The Connecticut-based market
research firm estimates that the total value of production for the light
commercial helicopter market during this time will reach $30.46 billion, of
which turbine-powered rotorcraft will account for $28 billion and
piston-powered helicopters $2.4 billion. “The lower total value of production
of the piston helicopter segment is due to the lower price tags of piston
helicopters relative to their turbine-powered brethren,” notes Forecast
International aerospace analyst Douglas Royce.
Robinson Helicopter is projected
to deliver 6,086 aircraft, continuing its domination of the piston helicopter
segment and accounting for a 42.8 percent share of the total unit production
for the light commercial rotorcraft market overall.
Eurocopter is projected to
deliver a total of 3,141 helicopters during the forecast period, or 22.1
percent of the unit production of the market overall. The value of this
production will account for 29 percent of the total value of production for the
market overall. Although Eurocopter will produce fewer helicopters than
Robinson, the dollar value of production Eurocopter’s more expensive aircraft
will be far higher at $8.87 billion versus a projected $2.15 billion for the
value of production at Robinson.
Eurocopter will be followed by Bell
Helicopter (1,576 units, $5.78 billion value of production), Sikorsky (1,123
units, $3.41 billion), and AgustaWestland (941 units, $4.95 billion). Together
these five companies are projected to account for 90 percent of the expected
unit production and 82 percent of the value of production for the light
commercial helicopter market overall.
Forecast International projects
that twin-engine turbine-powered helicopters will be produced in slightly
larger numbers than single-engine turbine models during the forecast period
(3,708 versus 3,603). The value of production for the single engine turbine
market is projected to be $5.7 billion, far less than the $22.33 billion
projected for the value of production for twins. Singles will be far more
popular in North America than in Europe, where their use over built-up areas
remains restricted because of government regulations.
According to the study,
continuing strong growth in sales will require opening new markets. “Besides
struggling to keep up with demand in the United States and Europe, manufacturers
are looking to emerging economies as markets with high growth potential,” said
Royce. “China, in particular, is assumed to offer tremendous growth
opportunities should the country’s government open its airspace to general
aviation traffic.”
Forecast International, Inc., is
a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of
aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown,
Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry
forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing
professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide. To
arrange an interview with Forecast International’s editors, please contact Ray
Peterson, Vice President, Research & Editorial Services (203-426-0800, ray.peterson@forecast1.com).