Honeywell Forecasts Strong Demand for Light Single and
Intermediate Multi-engine Helicopters
In briefings conducted
this week, Honeywell opines, via its sixth annual Turbine-Powered
Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook, that deliveries of approximately
2,350 new civil use helicopters during the five-year period 2004 -
2008, driven in part by increased demand for light single and
intermediate twin-engine models offering newer technology.
Corporate, emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement
helicopters combined are expected to account for almost two thirds
of all new civil rotorcraft sales during the five-year forecast
period.
Some highlights
revealed by the annual survey of helicopter operators’
purchase expectations are:
- Although helicopter sales in 2003 were flat compared to 2002,
they are likely to increase about 8 percent in 2004 compared to
2003.
- Helicopter sales during the five-year period 2004-2008 are
predicted to be 6.8 percent greater than in the five-year period
1999-2003.
- Helicopter sales are forecast to enjoy a 2 percent annual
compounded growth rate during the 11-year period 2004-2014.
“The results from the 2004 Honeywell Aerospace survey
identified engine power, safety/crashworthiness, useful load,
aircraft price and direct operating costs as the top five criteria
operators consider when selecting new helicopters,” said Lynn
Brubaker, Vice President, Honeywell Commercial Aerospace.
“Survey data also indicate that the decision to acquire new
helicopters is driven primarily by age of current aircraft and an
operator’s desire for newer technology, bigger cabins and
more payload. Along with new model introductions, these continue to
be important factors supporting demand,” Brubaker said.
“We are optimistic about the long range prospects for
helicopters in this diverse global economy,” she added.
The near-term increase
in demand is also driven by continuing strong worldwide demand for
corporate, EMS law enforcement and utility helicopters, bonus
depreciation in the United States, a strong U.S. economy and
booming economic conditions in Asia.
In North America, law enforcement received 30 percent of all
mentions this year. It remained the most frequently mentioned
helicopter use segment although this represented a decline from
almost 40 percent in 2003. One possible reason was that expected
funds to purchase new helicopters for increased homeland defense
and boarder patrol requirements never materialized.
EMS applications held steady at almost 30 percent of planned new
purchases in North America, while planned corporate purchases fell
again to 18.4 percent of the total.