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 broke a record last year, tallying its highest-ever sales volume and value, with revenues up 50% and transactions up 35% year over year.
“Delivering record growth in both volume and value reflects the maturity of our global platform and the confidence operators place in our expertise,” said&nbsp;Rotortrade founder and CEO Philippe Lubrano. “The acceleration in EMS and mission-driven segments demonstrates how critical reliable, well-configured aircraft are for essential operations worldwide. The market fundamentals remain strong, and we enter 2026 with solid momentum.”
In the EMS segment, Rotortrade deliveries were up sixfold, while the combined EMS, utility, and VIP market accounted for 87% of the helicopters that it delivered in 2025. EMS remained the strongest segment for Rotortrade, and more than 90% of 2025 completed transactions involved Airbus and Leonardo models.
Light single-engine and light-twin helicopters showed sustained demand, with the Airbus H125 and H145D3 and Leonardo AW109SP accounting for more than 50% of the 2025 fleet sold. About 70% of transactions took place in Europe and the Americas, with stable activity in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
“Our strategy remains focused on supporting customers across the full aircraft life cycle—from acquisition and financing to maintenance and asset optimization—while continuing to expand our international footprint,” Lubrano said.
At Verticon, Rotortrade unveiled the next step in its collaboration with design firm Jonsen Island, a “capsule collection” including caps, a hoodie, a t-shirt, and a signature jacket. All of these are on display at the Rotortrade exhibit and for sale on Jonsen Island’s website. Last year, Jonsen Island and Rotortrade collaborated on the refurbishment of an Airbus EC120, and the new collection reflects the two companies’ aviation and ocean inspirations.

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

Rotortrade Transactions, Revenues Reached Record in 2025

More than 90% of 2025 transactions involved Airbus and Leonardo models

About 70% of Rotortrade’s transactions took place in Europe and the Americas, with stable activity in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

Rotortrade Logs Record Year for Helicopter Sales

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Autonomy enables higher-risk missions without risking human crews

Autonomous RUC-60 Black Hawk Testing Expands

Amy Wilder

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Router supports low-impedance headsets for military operations

AEM Debuts Low-impedance Audio Router

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Company expects early adopters to serve civil and government passenger transport needs

Leonardo: AW609 Tiltrotor To Enter Service in 2027

Kerry Lynch

New VAI chief heads for first Verticon as CEO and president

Lassale: Verticon Opens as Industry Is at ‘Inflection Point’

Charlotte Bailey

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

First prototype has clocked up more than 72 flight hours to date 

Upcoming Airbus H160M on Track for 2028 Deliveries

Brazil air force becomes fifth military program to modernize with G5000H configuration

Brazil Air Force Selects Garmin G5000H for UH-60 Fleet

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.

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.

Verticon 2026

In this article

Rotortrade

More In Rotorcraft

Autonomous RUC-60 Black Hawk Testing Expands

Autonomy enables higher-risk missions without risking human crews

AEM Debuts Low-impedance Audio Router

Router supports low-impedance headsets for military operations

Leonardo: AW609 Tiltrotor To Enter Service in 2027

Company expects early adopters to serve civil and government passenger transport needs

Lassale: Verticon Opens as Industry Is at ‘Inflection Point’

New VAI chief heads for first Verticon as CEO and president

Upcoming Airbus H160M on Track for 2028 Deliveries

First prototype has clocked up more than 72 flight hours to date

Brazil Air Force Selects Garmin G5000H for UH-60 Fleet

Brazil air force becomes fifth military program to modernize with G5000H configuration

Veryon Renews, Expands Airbus Helicopters Partnership

Agreement extends Tracking+ use across global service network

Sikorsky Picks Owego, New York, for S-92A+ Production

Facility could build up to 12 helicopters annually

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN