<b>Update:</b> Norway’s Statoil said oil production was not impacted after the firm grounded all its Sikorsky S-92 helicopters used to transport offshore workers after an alert note from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp, a unit of Lockheed Martin, was issued on Tuesday. “All 13 S-92 helicopters were grounded after a note from the manufacturer today. We are prepared for inspections to take a couple of days,” a Statoil spokesman said. “This means some delays in replacing people on the oil platforms, but production hasn’t been affected,” he added. The Norwegian state-controlled oil company stopped using Airbus’ H225 Super Puma helicopters after a fatal crash off Norway last April, leaving S-92 the only model to transport offshore workers. Helicopters are a buzz word in the Middle East region’s energy and tourism sectors and the inaugural Dubai HeliConference is set to showcase the industry from April 17 to 18, 2017 at the Al Maktoum International Airport. The new symposium is supported by the Dubai Helishow, the biennial Helicopter Technology and Operations Exhibition. With the region’s huge oil and gas industry, offshore helicopters form a key plank for the industry. Despite turmoil in the oil and gas industry, the market researcher Douglas-Westwood (DW) forecasts US$25 billion in expenditure on global offshore oil and gas helicopter services between 2015 and 2019. “The installed base of manned production infrastructure continues to increase, as does the fleet of offshore rigs and specialist installation and support vessels. This drives the demand for helicopter services, with our forecast spend increasing more than 25 per cent” to 2019, compared with the preceding five-year period 2010 to 2015, it said. The coming years will be an important time for the industry as a new generation of medium-class helicopters, such as the H175, 7-tonne class medium utility helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters, and the AgustaWestland AW189, a twin-engined, medium-lift helicopter, are introduced, according to DW. “These have been developed to provide higher crew capacity, power and range for a number of industries. These models are highly efficient with new advanced safety systems and are, therefore, expected to perform well in the offshore arena,” DW said. <b>Attack helicopters</b> Globally, demand for military helicopters is forecast to increase. According to the aircraft broker AvBuyer, the global military rotorcraft market, valued at $21.7bn in 2016, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.59 per cent over the forecast period, to reach $28.1bn by 2026 and cumulatively value $254.2bn. The market consists of four categories: multi-mission and maritime helicopters; attack helicopters; transport helicopters; and training helicopter. The market will be dominated by the multi-mission and maritime helicopter segment, says AvBuyer, which is expected to account for 44.6 per cent of the market, followed by attack, transport and training helicopters, with shares of 28.5 per cent, 25.2 per cent and 1.7 per cent, respectively. <b>Growth</b> The first ever Dubai HeliConference will throw the spotlight on the key challenges faced by the helicopter segment of the Middle East’s aviation sector. The region’s helicopter industry plays a decisive role in the growth and development of the medical, military, civil and luxury sectors. “Helicopters are being used by the military, oil and gas and healthcare sectors as well as the elite in the Middle East,” said Ahmad Abulhoul, the managing director of Domus Group, which is organising the conference. “It is fast catching up in the luxury travel industry with many hotels and upscale buildings featuring helipads and chopper services. “Domus Group has launched Dubai HeliConference for the region’s helicopter industry to further strengthen this segment of the aviation sector with a dedicated show to address its issues, from supply chain of spare parts to meeting safety standards and use in military and law enforcement,” said Mr Abulhoul. In the face of a slower global economic growth environment and increased volatility in oil and gas-related markets, the helicopter industry is reacting with a cautious outlook for near-term new purchases. In its 18th annual Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook, Honeywell forecasts 4,300 to 4,800 civilian-use helicopters will be delivered from 2016 to 2020, about 400 helicopters lower than the 2015 five-year forecast. Honeywell said the Middle East and Africa has the second-highest new purchase rate among the five regions it covers globally, with up to 30 per cent of respondent fleets slated for turnover with a new helicopter replacement or addition. <b>Aircraft</b> More than 60 per cent of planned new helicopter purchases are intermediate and medium twin-engine models, it said. Abu Dhabi hosts another major regional helicopter event in February next year with the biennial Abu Dhabi Heli Expo. The event will showcase all the helicopter industry has to offer including aircraft, products and services during the three-day event from February 26. Abu Dhabi operates major offshore oil transport through operators such as Falcon Aviation Services and Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA). ADA – the Middle East’s largest commercial helicopter operator, according to its website – operates globally including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, India, Afghanistan and Spain and conducts third-party maintenance through its AgustaWestland Aviation Services subsidiary. chnelson@thenational.ae Follow The National's Business section on <a href="https://twitter.com/Ind_Insights">Twitter</a>
