News
Pre-owned helicopter sales strong in niche markets
February 19, 2009 By Corrie
Feb. 19, 2009 - The inventory of used helicopters in the market has increased dramatically over the past six months signifying a move very much towards a buyer’s market.
Feb. 19, 2009 – The inventory of used helicopters in the market has increased dramatically over the past six months signifying a move very much towards a buyer’s market, notes Tim Blockley, Managing Director of PremiAir Global. Financing is becoming more of a challenge with banks and financial institutions asking for significantly greater security in the form of larger deposits and guarantees, but there is still demand and activity is slow yet healthy in certain sectors.
Values of certain helicopter models have suffered more than others, particularly VIP/corporate use models. New build sales are down but demand appears strong from the EMS and offshore sectors. The pre-owned market is also attracting opportunistic cash buyers in all regions. “The strength of the US dollar against the Euro and Sterling has offset some of the negativity, at least for sellers in the Eurozone and particularly in the UK, where we continue to see demand. We sold a UK based Twinstar earlier this month to a European operator and this trend looks set to continue with the Pound being so weak.”
Against this challenging background, Tim Blockley and David McRobert, Managing Director of PremiAir are heading out to the world’s largest helicopter trade show, Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California next week, to assess the rotary market in the US. Also on the agenda is interest in forging new relationships with prospective associates.
“PremiAir Global has seen a marked increase in enquiries for pre-owned rotary aircraft since February, which bodes well for Heli-Expo and we are brokering a number of serious offers on helicopters we represent exclusively on behalf of clients.”
Since commencing business from Farnborough Airport in July 2008, PremiAir Global, PremiAir’s business aircraft sales and brokerage specialist, has built up a 20-strong high quality portfolio of executive helicopters, turboprops and business jets.
Luxury AW139 designed by Candy & Candy for sale at Euro €10.95 million
During HAI PremiAir Global will be highlighting an Agusta AW139 at a very attractive price of Є10.95 m (approx 14m US$). Available for delivery in June 2009, the aircraft is a distinctive one-off with a presidential boardroom style interior, custom designed by Candy & Candy in the UK. It features all the very latest equipment from Agusta Westland including an Active Vibration Control System. At the other end of the size spectrum, PremiAir Global is also marketing a privately-owned AS350B2 with an autopilot system, currently being marketed for £980,000 (approx 1.4m US$).
PremiAir Global is also exclusively offering two Eurocopter AS365N3s in corporate configuration, which can be modified to full offshore (or EMS) if required; a VIP EC155B; a very recent EC135T2i; two low cost IFR aircraft in the form of an A109A MKII and Bell 222 and a 1999 Bell JetRanger 3, with one owner since new.
For full details of PremiAir Global’s portfolio, please contact Tim Blockley at Heli-Expo in California on +44 7500 082212.
