How Many Helicopters in the World?
(Updated on 14th December 2020)
How Many Aircraft in the World?
I am sure you have all wondered at some time or another how many helicopters are in the world today. Well, I did a little research and this is what I came up with.
| Type of Aircraft | Number |
|---|---|
| Active General Aviation Aircraft | 446,000 |
| Passenger (Commercial) Aircraft | 24,330 |
| Freight Planes | 1,770 |
| Total Commercial Planes | 26,100 |
| Total Planes (excluding drones) | 564,589 |
| Military Aircraft | 53,953 |
| Civil Helicopters | 38,536 |
| Military Helicopters | 31,192 |
| Total Helicopters | 69,728 |
Information in the table was obtained from Transportation and the Belt and Road Initiative and from the Statistical Databook and Industry Outlook pdf.
General aviation (GA) is defined as all aviation other than scheduled commercial airlines and military aviation.
The 446,000 General Aviation Aircraft includes fixed wing, rotary and private business jets. General Aviation Statistical Databook & Industry Outlook. 211,757 of these aircraft are based in the USA (2017 data).
In 2012 there were 10,055 General Aviation helicopters in the USA and approximately 15,000 rotary pilots.
According to http://www.helis.com/faq/, in 2001; of the 26,500 Civil helicopters, distribution was as follows:
- 46.1% in North America
- 18.2% in Europe
- 12.7% in former Soviet Union
- 12.3% in Asia/Pacific region
- 7.2% in South America
- 3.4% in Middle East
- 0.1% in Africa
Of the 29,700 Military Helicopters in 2001, distribution was as follows:
- 33.5% in North America
- 21.1% in Europe
- 16.6% in former Soviet Union
- 13.6% in Asia/Pacific region
- 6.3% in the Middle East
- 4.5% in Africa
- 4.4% in South America?
Boeing forecasts there will be demand for more than 35,000 new planes worth $4.8tn (£3.1tn) over the next 20 years, with airlines keen to replace fuel-hungry older models to cope with high oil prices. http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jun/11/boeing-commercial-planes-double-asia-pacific.
According to Flight International’s 2003 Military Aircraft Census, there were an estimated 89,129 military aircraft worldwide.
These figures were very difficult to find and it must be remembered that the numbers are changing constantly.
For those of us who have the opportunity to fly helicopters, it is obvious that we are the privileged few. There are over 7 billion people on our planet today but there are only 53,953 helicopters.
Please let me know if you have any further information and as usual, feel free to leave any comments – good or bad.
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