In the next five years — from 2025 to 2029 — about 600 civil helicopters may be decommissioned in Russia. This is stated in a new market study prepared by the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK). The main reasons for write-offs are the expiration of assigned service life, depletion of flight resources, and the lack of necessary units and components.
Most of the outdated vessels are Soviet-era models such as the Mi-2 and Mi-8T, as well as light foreign helicopters.
According to data at the end of 2024, the total fleet of civil helicopter equipment in the country numbered more than 2.4 thousand units. However, only 104 helicopters were in active operation with airlines, of which 86% were of domestic production, mainly heavy class, with an average age of 32 years. Foreign machines, which make up about 14% of the fleet, are mainly light types and younger — their average age is 11.8 years.
GTLK notes that the low profitability of helicopter transportation, combined with the high cost of new aircraft and maintenance, significantly slows down fleet renewal. Since 2017, GTLK has already transferred 225 new Russian helicopters to airlines on preferential terms. The company believes that further extension of preferential leasing initiatives will meet the needs of regional carriers for new equipment.
Read more materials on the topic:
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- Helicopter fleet planned to be renewed: KVZ will receive an order for at least 70 rotorcraft
