Airbus are aiming to boost production of the H145 with a dedicated FAL at Donauworth. While the current shared line with the 135 will be the focus for 135/140 production. Image Airbus
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) deliveries and billing report for the second quarter of 2026 reveals that the the industry delivered 419 helicopters valued at USD2.28 billion in the first half of the year, up 7.2% compared with the same period of last year. In terms of the number of aircraft delivered, the growth was a more modest 4.0% revealing a continuing trend to both larger aircraft and higher prices for new helicopters.
In the piston market, inevitably Robinson continue to reign supreme with 97 of its piston products delivered, 19 of which were R22 Betas enjoying a resurgence in demand after a period in the doldrums. Guimbal meanwhile, delivered 13 CabriG2s in the first half while Enstrom awaits certification of the “new” 280FX something it expects to come from the FAA shortly perhaps even soon enough for deliveries this year.
Moving the turbine sector, In single deliveries Airbus’ dominance remains unchallenged with 47 H125s and 19 H130s leaving the lines in France and the US. In the light (part 27) twin market the gap between deliveries of Bell’s 429 and the H135 was narrower than it had been for some time with 7 and 15 delivered respectively.
Arguably an early indicator of the ‘140 effect’ on H135 orders and deliveries. Moving up to the bottom end of the Part 29 class production of the H145 totalled 52 in the period compared with 36 in the same period of 2025 a reflection of the the early steps taken at Donouwirth to improve 145 production rates in the face of an ever growing backlog.
The AW139 has commanded the large medium twin market for decades and with 34 examples joining the world fleet in the first it is a dominance that shows little sign of weakening. Leonardo’s market share of the Super Medium market is likewise apparently secure with 15 examples delivered in the first half while the H175 added just two to the fleet.
While Sikorsky have the first of the the S-92A+ in production they are still some way from delivery meaning that with a sole H225 leaving Marignane, Airbus commands the Heavy sector although with increasing numbers of UH-60s heading direct to civil customers as S-70i Sikorsky (Sikorsky report delivery of 31 examples UH-60/S-70s in H1) have still have something to say about the class.
