Helicopter-Based Transportation Market Report 2026

The helicopter-based transportation market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $6.32 billion in 2025 to $6.56 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of offshore oil and gas activities, increasing use of helicopters in emergency response, growth in corporate charter services, rising demand for aerial surveillance, availability of rotary-wing aircraft fleets.

The helicopter-based transportation market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.68 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in sustainable aviation fuel usage, rising adoption of electric and hybrid helicopters, expansion of helicopter services in emerging regions, growing focus on rapid-response transportation, increasing integration of advanced avionics. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for offshore and remote transportation services, rising use of helicopters for emergency medical services, growing adoption of fuel-efficient helicopter models, expansion of helicopter charter services, enhanced focus on safety and navigation systems.

The growing adoption of helicopters across a wide range of applications is expected to drive the growth of the helicopter-based transportation market in the coming years. Helicopters are rotary-wing aircraft equipped with one or two sets of large rotating blades, enabling vertical takeoff and landing as well as the ability to hover in place. They are widely used in applications such as energy and electricity sector support, transportation and cargo logistics, search-and-rescue operations, firefighting missions, and military and government services. In addition, the capability of helicopters to take off and land in confined or remote areas has further increased their demand for transportation purposes. For example, in 2024, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, a US-based global trade association representing aircraft manufacturers, piston helicopter deliveries increased to 210 units, up by one unit compared to 2023, while civil and commercial turbine helicopter deliveries rose by 3% to 825 units. The total value of helicopter deliveries in 2023 reached $5.2 billion, reflecting an increase of approximately 10.8%. Therefore, the expanding use of helicopters across multiple applications is driving the growth of the helicopter-based transportation market.

Companies operating in the helicopter-based transportation market are increasingly entering into strategic partnerships to expand their global presence and service coverage. A strategic partnership is a formal, long-term collaboration between two or more organizations aimed at achieving shared objectives. For instance, in October 2023, NHV Group, a Belgium-based provider of business-to-business helicopter services, announced a collaboration with Apex Aviation, a China-based aircraft service and maintenance company, in Taiwan. This partnership is intended to deliver innovative helicopter transportation services to support Taiwan’s offshore wind industry, enabling enhanced operational efficiency and expanded service capabilities in the region.

In April 2024, Helicopter Express Inc., a US-based aviation services provider, acquired Erickson’s aerial firefighting division for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Helicopter Express sought to strengthen its heavy-lift helicopter capabilities and broaden its service portfolio to include global aerial firefighting and specialized heavy-lift operations. This move enhances the company’s operational scale and market reach. Erickson’s aerial firefighting division is a US-based helicopter operations unit specializing in the use of S-64 Air Crane helicopters for aerial firefighting, logging, construction, and other utility and heavy-lift missions worldwide.

Major companies operating in the helicopter-based transportation market are Bristow Group Inc., CHC Group LLC, Leonardo S.p.A., PHI Inc., Air Charter Service India Pvt. Ltd., Falcon Aviation Services Inc., British International Helicopters Services Limited, Petroleum Helicopters International Inc., Helijet International Inc., Air Methods Corporation, Columbia Helicopters Inc., Maverick Aviation Group, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Helitrans AS, London's Air Ambulance Limited, LifeFlight Australia, Air Zermatt AG, Starspeed Limited, Russian Helicopters JSC, Canadian Helicopters Limited., Summit Helicopters Inc., ERA Helicopters LLC, Heli-Union SA, Alpine Helicopters Inc.

North America was the largest region in the helicopter-based transportation market share in 2025. The regions covered in the helicopter-based transportation market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the helicopter-based transportation market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The helicopter-based transportation market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing transport services such as air ambulance, freight transport, aerial photography, patrolling, forestry, touring, and crop harvesting. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.