Offshore Helicopter Services Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028 Segmented By Type (Light, Medium and Heavy), By Application (Inspection, Monitoring and Surveying, Passenger Transport, Goods Transport, Search & Rescue, and Others), By End User (Oil and Gas Industry, Offshore Wind Industry, and Others) By Region, Competition 2021-2031F

Market Overview

The Global Offshore Helicopter Services Market will grow from USD 4.05 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.53 Billion by 2031 at a 5.33% CAGR. The Global Offshore Helicopter Services Market is defined as the commercial operation of rotorcraft for transporting personnel and equipment to marine-based facilities, including oil platforms and wind farms. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the intensification of deepwater exploration activities and the global surge in offshore renewable energy projects, both of which require efficient long-range logistical support. Furthermore, the operational necessity for rapid emergency response and medical evacuation capabilities in remote maritime environments ensures sustained demand for these specialized aviation services.

Despite this growth potential, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the high capital expenditure required for fleet modernization and the volatility of operational costs. Service providers must balance the need for compliant aircraft with the financial constraints imposed by fluctuating energy prices, which can delay the acquisition of newer units. According to 'HeliOffshore', in '2025', 'the Leonardo AW139 represented 26 percent of the global offshore fleet with 365 aircraft as of January 1'. This data underscores the industry's heavy reliance on established medium-twin helicopter models to maintain operational continuity while managing the substantial financial risks associated with market expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The resurgence of deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil and gas exploration is fundamentally reshaping the demand curve for offshore helicopter services. As energy companies move operations further from shore to secure reserves, the reliance on heavy and super-medium rotorcraft for safe, long-distance crew transfer has intensified. This upswing in traditional energy sector activity is translating into tangible financial growth for major operators, validating the need for robust logistical chains. According to Helicopter Investor, November 2024, in the 'Bristow reports strong Q3 earnings, raises full-year outlook' article, Bristow Group reported a net income of $28.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, driven notably by increased activity in its offshore energy services division. This data highlights how the revitalization of exploration projects in remote maritime basins is actively bolstering the market's financial performance and operational utilization rates.

Simultaneously, the rapid expansion of the offshore wind energy sector is creating a parallel stream of sustained logistical demand. As wind farms scale up and are constructed in deeper waters, they require aviation support comparable to oil and gas operations for both construction and maintenance phases. According to RotorHub International, August 2024, in the 'CHC Helicopter to assist construction of Offshore Wind Farm' article, CHC Helicopter secured a pivotal contract to support the RWE Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, which comprises 100 turbines located 195 kilometers from the UK coast. This underscores the sector's shift toward complex, long-range logistics that necessitate specialized aviation services. To meet these combined operational needs, fleet renewal remains a priority across the industry. According to Airbus, in 2025, the manufacturer logged 455 gross orders in the previous year, signaling robust global investment in modern rotorcraft capabilities to serve these expanding maritime markets.

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Key Market Challenges

The high capital expenditure required for fleet modernization and the volatility of operational costs constitute a critical impediment to the growth of the Global Offshore Helicopter Services Market. Service providers face immense pressure to acquire modern, compliant aircraft to meet stringent safety standards and client requirements. However, the unpredictability of operating expenses limits the financial flexibility needed to commit to these substantial investments. This fiscal uncertainty often forces operators to delay fleet renewal programs, leading to a reliance on aging airframes and a reluctance to expand capacity aggressively. Consequently, the industry struggles to scale its logistical support rapidly enough to match the intensifying demand from new deepwater and renewable energy projects.

This inability to invest in necessary fleet expansion creates a supply bottleneck that directly hampers overall market activity. Instead of capitalizing on rising exploration efforts, the market experiences a stagnation in service volume due to the shortage of available, modern helicopter tonnage. According to the 'International Association of Oil & Gas Producers', in '2024', 'the number of helicopter hours flown remained stable around 350,000 hours' despite increasing activity levels in various regions. This data highlights how financial constraints and the resulting asset limitations effectively cap the market's growth potential, preventing the sector from fully servicing the expanding global energy infrastructure.

Key Market Trends

The implementation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives has emerged as a critical trend as operators strive to meet stringent decarbonization targets mandated by energy clients and regulators. This shift goes beyond standard fleet upgrades, focusing on the integration of low-carbon fuels into existing logistics chains to reduce the environmental footprint of offshore operations. Service providers are increasingly validating these capabilities through active trials and operational adjustments to secure long-term viability in a carbon-conscious market. According to CHC Helicopter, September 2025, in the '2025 Sustainability Statement', the company reported saving over 700 tCO2e on contracted flights in FY25 through operational efficiencies and the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Simultaneously, the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for hybrid operations is transforming the traditional service model by assigning lower-payload tasks to autonomous platforms. This trend allows operators to reserve heavy and super-medium rotorcraft for high-value personnel transport while utilizing drones for infrastructure inspections and light cargo delivery, thereby optimizing fleet utilization and reducing operational risks. The industry sentiment strongly favors this hybrid approach as a future standard for maintaining aging offshore assets. According to SwissDrones, September 2025, in the 'Energy Infrastructure Index 2025', 96 percent of senior North American energy executives believe UAVs will replace helicopters for infrastructure inspections within the next decade.

Segmental Insights

The light helicopter segment is projected to witness the quickest expansion within the global offshore helicopter services market due to increasing demand from the renewable energy sector. Operators are prioritizing light twin-engine aircraft for offshore wind farm maintenance because these units offer substantial operational cost savings compared to heavier alternatives. Additionally, the rise in shallow-water exploration activities necessitates agile aircraft suitable for short-haul personnel transport. This preference is supported by guidelines from the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, which validate the operational efficiency of light helicopters for specific low-capacity logistical missions.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Offshore Helicopter Services Market, driven significantly by deepwater exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico. The region utilizes a large active fleet for essential crew transportation and emergency response tasks required by the mature oil and gas sector. Operational stability is supported by the Federal Aviation Administration, which enforces strict safety standards and oversight. This strong regulatory framework, combined with consistent demand from energy operators, solidifies North America’s status as the primary region for offshore aviation services.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Bristow Group announced a long-term collaboration with Sikorsky to provide enhanced support for its extensive fleet of S-92 helicopters. The comprehensive agreement included a specialized assurance program covering aftermarket support, parts replacement, and technical services for the operator's heavy-lift aircraft globally. The Chief Operating Officer of the aviation services provider stated that this partnership would effectively control operational costs and improve overall efficiency while maintaining exceptional service levels. This strategic deal reinforced the company's commitment to the S-92 platform for its critical offshore energy and search and rescue operations worldwide.
• In March 2025, PHI Aviation commenced commercial offshore helicopter operations for Shell using the Airbus H160, marking a significant industry milestone. This deployment followed an extensive route-proving program designed to validate the aircraft's advanced capabilities for demanding offshore energy support missions. The operations, conducted off the Louisiana coast, represented the first commercial utilization of this helicopter type for the global energy sector. Executives from the company highlighted that this initiative would deliver substantial improvements in safety, passenger comfort, and operational availability, thereby driving greater business efficiencies for their client's workforce in the Gulf of Mexico.
• In November 2024, Omni Helicopters International incorporated its first Airbus H160 medium twin helicopter into its fleet through a leasing arrangement with GD Helicopter Finance. This strategic addition established the company as the inaugural operator in Latin America to deploy this advanced aircraft model for offshore energy missions. The Chief Operating Officer of the aviation group noted that the new helicopter would enhance fleet efficiency and sustainability, directly supporting the organization's environmental goals. The aircraft was specifically selected to meet the rigorous safety and operational standards required for transporting personnel to deepwater facilities in the region.
• In August 2024, CHC Helicopter secured a contract with RWE to provide crew transportation services for the construction phase of the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. The operator deployed a Leonardo AW139 aircraft, operating from its Norwich base to support the project located on Dogger Bank. This agreement represented a key development, as it was the first instance of the energy company contracting helicopter services during a wind farm's construction phase. The aviation firm emphasized its commitment to the renewable energy sector, demonstrating that it could provide the necessary range and payload capabilities to support distant offshore sites effectively.

Key Market Players

• Bristow Group Inc.
• CHC Group Ltd.
• PHI, Inc.
• Era Group Inc.
• Babcock International Group PLC
• HNZ Group Inc.
• Milestone Aviation Group Columbia Helicopters, Inc.
• NHV Group
• Cougar Helicopters Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Offshore Helicopter Services Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Offshore Helicopter Services Market, By Type:

• Light
• Medium and Heavy

• Offshore Helicopter Services Market, By Application:

• Inspection
• Monitoring and Surveying
• Passenger Transport
• Goods Transport
• Search & Rescue
• Others

• Offshore Helicopter Services Market, By End User:

• Oil and Gas Industry
• Offshore Wind Industry
• Others

• Offshore Helicopter Services Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE