Bell predicts strong European sales despite global uncertainty
The European helicopter market is expected to remain resilient in 2024 despite the ongoing potential for geopolitical turmoil.
Bell Textron European managing director Jacinto Monge acknowledged there is a degree…
June 13, 2024
The European helicopter market is expected to remain resilient in 2024 despite the ongoing potential for geopolitical turmoil.
Bell Textron European managing director Jacinto Monge acknowledged there is a degree of uncertainty all over the world thanks to numerous upcoming elections as well as the potential for interest rates to go any way.
However, he predicted the market for helicopters will remain strong in Europe, largely thanks to their convenience.
Monge said: “The reality is in spite of election cycles and in spite of uncertainty on interest rates, in spite of uncertainty on everything we’re seeing a very resilient market and it is driven by the fact the helicopter is still a useful tool.
“There are two profiles [of customer]. On one side there are people who have a passion for aviation; we have a good chunk of owners who are pilots themselves.
“It’s also a business tool, if you can get to your meetings in London and then back home by dinner time you are avoiding several hours of traffic.”
Monge took up the role in July last year having previously worked as Bell’s managing director for the Asia Pacific region. He has worked for Bell of seven years now.
He added 2023 ended well in Europe with 171 helicopters delivered to customers despite ongoing supply chain issues, while the first quarter of 2024 saw the closing of a deal with Norwegian energy company Equinor for 10 Bell 525s.
He added: “That Norwegian continental shelf will be very important to us.”
Monge is also predicting interest from both the air medical and law enforcement sectors while Bell’s single engine models are proving particularly popular.
