Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Rotortrade is projecting that the helicopter market in Latin America will see a 20% market expansion this year, according to the company's newly-released 2024-2025 Latin America Helicopter Market Report.
“Latin America is undergoing a helicopter transformation, driven by offshore growth, parapublic needs, and strategic reinvention,” according to Rotortrade. “Its oilfield activity is fueled by Brazil’s offshore energy bonanza, while Mexican private and public markets have stood the test of time. Yet other actors are slowly gaining traction. Recovery in helicopter demand is being led by increased mining, firefighting, and emergency operations, coupled with evolving government policies.”
Most helicopters in Latin America are single-engine models, totaling 1,412 aircraft. Robinson Helicopter has the greatest share at 30.4%, followed by Bell at 26.9% and Airbus at 25.6%.&nbsp;Twins account for another 235 helicopters, with Airbus at the forefront with 116 helicopters, Bell 112, and Leonardo 62.&nbsp;
Rotortrade sees opportunities to fulfill operators’ needs as various issues hamper delivery of new helicopters. Hurdles such as floating currencies, limited access to capital, import duties, customs restrictions, supply chain, and long lead times for new aircraft make preowned helicopters more attractive. “This environment is creating space for solution providers with a pool of recent preowned aircraft and the capability to quickly transition them to meet specific mission requirements,” said Rotortrade LATAM region head Raymond Lubrano.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helicopter Market

Brazil’s energy market is a strong driver of rotorcraft activity in LATAM

Most helicopters in Latin America are single-engine models. Robinson Helicopter has the greatest share at 30.4%, followed by Bell at 26.9% and Airbus at 25.6%. 

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helo Market

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fireflighting mission is ideal for large rotorcraft nearing the end of their useful lives.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

In this article

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