Market overview
The global helicopter service market is worth USD 23.2 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 38.9 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.3% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Emergency medical services is the largest by service segment.
| Scope | Commercial helicopter operations sold to customers: offshore energy transport, emergency medical services, charter, sightseeing, government and utility contracts. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Value 2025 | USD 22.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 23.2 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 38.9 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.3% |
| Volume 2026 | 5,146 thousand flight hours |
| Volume 2036 | 6,738 thousand flight hours |
| Average price 2026 | USD 4,510 per flight hour |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Helicopter Service market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 23.2 bn |
| 2027 | USD 24.4 bn |
| 2028 | USD 25.7 bn |
| 2029 | USD 27.1 bn |
| 2030 | USD 28.5 bn |
| 2031 | USD 30.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 31.6 bn |
| 2033 | USD 33.3 bn |
| 2034 | USD 35.1 bn |
| 2035 | USD 36.9 bn |
| 2036 | USD 38.9 bn |
Helicopter Service market segmentation
By service
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical services | 26.0% | 26.4% | USD 6.0 bn | 5.5% |
| Offshore oil and gas | 22.0% | 19.4% | USD 5.1 bn | 4.0% |
| Charter and tourism | 20.0% | 22.3% | USD 4.6 bn | 6.5% |
| Government and public safety | 14.0% | 13.6% | USD 3.2 bn | 5.0% |
| Utility and aerial work | 18.0% | 18.3% | USD 4.2 bn | 5.5% |
By region
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 44.0% | 40.8% | USD 10.2 bn | 4.5% |
| Europe | 22.0% | 20.8% | USD 5.1 bn | 4.7% |
| Asia Pacific | 16.0% | 19.1% | USD 3.7 bn | 7.2% |
| Latin America | 8.0% | 8.3% | USD 1.9 bn | 5.7% |
| Middle East and Africa | 10.0% | 10.9% | USD 2.3 bn | 6.2% |
By helicopter class
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light single-engine | 24.0% | 22.0% | USD 5.6 bn | 4.4% |
| Light twin-engine | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 6.5 bn | 4.5% |
| Medium | 34.0% | 34.0% | USD 7.9 bn | 5.3% |
| Heavy | 14.0% | 18.0% | USD 3.2 bn | 8.0% |
By operator type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial operators | 62.0% | 60.0% | USD 14.4 bn | 5.0% |
| Government agencies | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 5.1 bn | 5.3% |
| Corporate and private owners | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 3.7 bn | 6.5% |
By contract type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term contracts | 50.0% | 48.0% | USD 11.6 bn | 4.9% |
| Seasonal contracts | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 5.1 bn | 5.3% |
| On-demand charters | 28.0% | 30.0% | USD 6.5 bn | 6.0% |
Top 25 countries for helicopter service by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 77.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.5%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 9.3 bn | 40.0% | USD 14.8 bn | 4.8% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | USD 1.4 bn | 6.0% | USD 2.1 bn | 4.2% |
| 3 | Brazil | USD 1.2 bn | 5.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 5.7% |
| 4 | Canada | USD 1.2 bn | 5.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 4.9% |
| 5 | Australia | USD 1.0 bn | 4.5% | USD 1.8 bn | 5.3% |
| 6 | Norway | USD 812 mn | 3.5% | USD 1.2 bn | 4.4% |
| 7 | Germany | USD 812 mn | 3.5% | USD 1.3 bn | 4.7% |
| 8 | China | USD 812 mn | 3.5% | USD 2.2 bn | 10.4% |
| 9 | Saudi Arabia | USD 696 mn | 3.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 7.2% |
| 10 | Japan | USD 696 mn | 3.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 3.8% |
| 11 | Mexico | USD 541 mn | 2.3% | USD 934 mn | 5.6% |
| 12 | France | USD 480 mn | 2.1% | USD 832 mn | 5.7% |
| 13 | Italy | USD 427 mn | 1.8% | USD 739 mn | 5.6% |
| 14 | India | USD 381 mn | 1.6% | USD 704 mn | 6.3% |
| 15 | Russia | USD 339 mn | 1.5% | USD 587 mn | 5.7% |
| 16 | South Africa | USD 302 mn | 1.3% | USD 521 mn | 5.6% |
| 17 | Malaysia | USD 269 mn | 1.2% | USD 467 mn | 5.7% |
| 18 | Indonesia | USD 239 mn | 1.0% | USD 412 mn | 5.6% |
| 19 | Nigeria | USD 214 mn | 0.9% | USD 370 mn | 5.6% |
| 20 | Angola | USD 190 mn | 0.8% | USD 327 mn | 5.5% |
| 21 | Netherlands | USD 169 mn | 0.7% | USD 292 mn | 5.6% |
| 22 | Switzerland | USD 151 mn | 0.7% | USD 261 mn | 5.6% |
| 23 | Spain | USD 135 mn | 0.6% | USD 230 mn | 5.5% |
| 24 | New Zealand | USD 118 mn | 0.5% | USD 206 mn | 5.7% |
| 25 | United Arab Emirates | USD 107 mn | 0.5% | USD 183 mn | 5.5% |
| Rest of world | USD 1.3 bn | 5.5% | USD 2.2 bn | 5.4% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Bristow Group
- CHC Group
- Air Methods
- PHI
- Gulf Helicopters
- UTair Aviation
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Babcock International
- Blade Air Mobility
- Heli-Austria
- NHV Group
- Helijet
- Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
- Heli-Union
- Lider Aviacao
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Maverick Helicopters
- Wucher Helicopter
- Sloane Helicopters
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the helicopter service market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.3% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by service, by region, by helicopter class, by operator type, by contract type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the helicopter service market?
The global helicopter service market is estimated at USD 22.0 bn in 2025 and USD 23.2 bn in 2026.
How fast will the helicopter service market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 38.9 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% from 2026, an increase of USD 15.7 bn.
Which country is the largest market for helicopter service?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 9.3 bn in 2026, 40.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 51.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, China is growing fastest at 10.4% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which helicopter service segment is largest?
In the by service split, Emergency medical services is the largest segment with 26.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading helicopter service companies?
Global leaders include Bristow Group, CHC Group, Air Methods, PHI.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Travel and Tourism
- Duty Free CosmeticsUSD 23.3 bn · 6.0% CAGR
- Foreign Exchange ServicesUSD 23.1 bn · 5.0% CAGR
- ZooUSD 23.1 bn · 5.0% CAGR
- Travel DistributionUSD 23.4 bn · 7.0% CAGR
- Nail SalonUSD 25.2 bn · 4.5% CAGR
- Private Jet CharterUSD 25.4 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Scuba DivingUSD 21.1 bn · 6.0% CAGR
- In Flight CateringUSD 20.9 bn · 5.5% CAGR