Helicopters are necessary for long-distance transport, intra-city travel, law enforcement, disaster relief, search and rescue, and emergency medical evacuation. Aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) has evolved into a critical component for guaranteeing adequate fleet service, airworthiness, and customer protection. MRO firms do maintenance, assessments, and routine and overhaul inspections. The utilisation of aircraft, the size of the global fleet, and the volume of air traffic all have an influence on the global civil helicopter MRO sector. National and international aviation regulatory agencies regularly monitor industry operators and OEMs to ensure strict laws and procedures are followed. The helicopter MRO industry has been continuously growing in recent years and is expected to grow much more in the coming years. Helicopters are necessary for long-distance transport, intra-city travel, law enforcement, disaster relief, search and rescue, and emergency medical evacuation. Aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) has evolved into a critical component for guaranteeing adequate fleet service, airworthiness, and customer protection. MRO firms do maintenance, assessments, and routine and overhaul inspections. The utilisation of aircraft, the size of the global fleet, and the volume of air traffic all have an influence on the global civil helicopter MRO sector. National and international aviation regulatory agencies regularly monitor industry operators and OEMs to ensure strict laws and procedures are followed. The helicopter MRO industry has been continuously growing in recent years and is expected to grow much more in the coming years. The MRO market encompasses various segments, including civil and military helicopters, and it involves maintenance activities such as inspections, repairs, component replacements, and technology upgrades. Here are some key points and considerations related to the Helicopter MRO market:
Helicopter MRO services cover a wide range of activities, including airframe maintenance, engine maintenance, avionics upgrades, structural repairs, component overhauls (such as rotor systems, transmission, and landing gear), and painting. The Helicopter MRO market is influenced by factors such as fleet expansion, regulatory requirements, advancements in technology, safety concerns, and the economic health of the aviation industry.
The market can be divided into various segments based on the type of helicopters (civil, military), the size of helicopters (light, medium, heavy), and the specific services offered. The Helicopter MRO market is global in nature, with players ranging from large OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to specialized MRO providers and service centres. Major players often have a global presence to cater to different markets and customers. Advances in technology, such as predictive maintenance, data analytics, and connectivity solutions, are shaping the way helicopter maintenance is conducted. Connected helicopters can provide real-time data to help diagnose issues and optimize maintenance schedules. The aviation industry is heavily regulated to ensure safety and airworthiness. Helicopter MRO providers must adhere to national and international aviation regulations, which impact how maintenance activities are conducted. The growth of the Helicopter MRO market is linked to the growth of the helicopter fleet worldwide. This growth can be influenced by factors such as economic conditions, demand for offshore operations, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and military applications. The market is competitive, with both OEMs and independent MRO providers vying for business. OEMs may offer integrated solutions that include both aircraft and MRO services, while independent MRO providers focus solely on maintenance and repair.
The helicopter industry was categorised into three categories: small (3.1 tonnes), medium (3.1-9.0 tonnes), and big (>9.0 tonnes). Heavy helicopters can transport up to 9 tonnes of payload. These helicopters are primarily used by the military to transport soldiers, combat equipment, and artillery. Because of their huge load capacity, big helicopters require periodic maintenance. As a result, the heavy helicopter category (>9.0 tonnes) is predicted to develop at a CAGR of 4.59% throughout the forecast period.
Civilian and military applications are among the industry’s application segments. rising demand for civil helicopter MRO services has stemmed from rising demand for commercial helicopters.
REGIONAL ANALYSIS:
North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world are the regions that make up the worldwide market. In 2021, North America led the market. The United States is expected to have the biggest market share in 2021. This increase is attributable to the acquisition of modern helicopters, large MRO service providers for helicopters, OMs, and the aviation sector’s fast expansion. MRO service companies such as ST Engineering, Aerospace, HAECO Group, AAR, Aviation Technical Services, and others drive the industry in the United States. Russian Helicopters announced an agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada to equip the cutting-edge light VRT500 helicopter with PW207V gas-turbine engines.
In 2021, Europe was the second-largest area in terms of worldwide market share. The presence of significant companies in Europe, such as Airbus S.A.S. Rolls-Royce, Safran, MTU Aero Engines, and others, is projected to boost the region’s helicopter MRO services market growth. The German Armed Forces (Bundeswer) granted NH Group a one-year contract in 2021 to provide MRO services for three H145 aircraft to support their Special Forces training programme at Laupheim (HSG64). During the projection period, the Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at the fastest CAR. Increased mergers and acquisitions among MO service providers are likely to boost growth. For example, Bell Textron Inc. purchased Zhenjiang Aerochine Aviation Limited in 2021 to expand Bell helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations in China. The remainder of the world is divided into sub-regions such as the Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Following Precision Aviation Services’ recent purchase (Pty) Ltd (South Africa), Leonardo S.p.A. will enhance its support and maintenance services for its clients in South Africa with a new service centre in 2021.
Recent Development:
In 2023: StandardAero was chosen by the Brazilian Air Force to provide full maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the Rolls-Royce AE 3007 engines that power the Brazilian Air Force’s fleet of Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. StandardAero will offer MRO services for FAB’s AE 3007A equipped fleet from its facility in Maryville, United States, which is an OEM-approved Authorised Maintenance Centre (AMC) for the AE 3007 family of engines, under the terms of the exclusive multi-year deal.In 2023: GE Aerospace extended ITP Aero’s service contract to provide CT7 engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul services at its Albacete, Spain location. The CT7-8 is a powerful engine developed to suit the rigorous mission requirements of commercial heavy-lift helicopters and current military medium helicopters worldwide.