The aircraft import area of the Rubber stamp, a Brazilian trading company that projects revenues of US$ 2,2 billion in 2022 considering all business fronts, ed a relevant increase in the demand for helicopter imports this year. For 2023, rotorcraft deliveries will continue at a high level.
In 2022, Timbro delivered five times more helicopters than in 2021 and had 60% more revenue from this segment. Revenue was impacted by the expansion of the mix, with customers demanding the importation of top-of-the-line models – for example, the company intermediated the arrival of a Bell 429 twin-turbine, more comfortable and, because it has two turbines, safer and with greater range.
For next year, considering only what is already ordered, Timbro is already guaranteed a 40% leap in volume compared to 2022.
Timbro's aviation area is responsible for all procedures for importing an executive aircraft. The company s the buyer of a new or semi-new plane or helicopter in structuring the operation, searching for the best credit solution, managing the acquisition, delivery to the exporter, transfer and nationalization with the competent bodies. The buyer, after indicating his choice and defining the flow and form of payment, only needs to receive the aircraft ready for use at his own or trusted airfield.
The performance reflects the company's investments in the aircraft import unit. Between 2021 and 2022, Timbro tripled its dedicated aviation team, now has 11 professionals in the commercial and operational area specialized in rotorcraft, and expanded the portfolio of partner manufacturers, with a focus on meeting market demand.
Changing aircraft causes high demand
According to data consolidated monthly by Abag (Brazilian Association of General Aviation) with data from Anac (National Civil Aviation Agency) and distributed to companies in the sector, in the total Brazilian executive aviation fleet, the number of turbine helicopters grew 11% in 2022 to the month of September, a pace higher than that of the total fleet of executive aircraft (planes and rotary wings added), which was 3%. New registrations of turbine helicopters, up to September, grew by 44%.
The heated market for helicopters is a consequence of the strong demand that has occurred since 2020, when many current owners began using executive aviation by purchasing their first plane or helicopter and are now looking for new aircraft with more comfort and safety. “The behavior of owners entering executive aviation is to invest in a functional aircraft, at a lower cost, to understand whether this mobility solution makes sense for their needs. After the testing phase, this owner feels safe to make a bigger investment and acquire a top-of-the-line helicopter. Those who already have equipment want to upgrade. It is at this stage that we are now in the rotorcraft segment”, explains Pedro Ferreira, head of aviation at Timbro.
With regard to use, helicopters continue to be sought for urban displacement in the “point-to-point” format. According to the Timbro executive, “helicopters continue to be an urban mobility solution for trips with shorter routes. Quickly accessing different points in larger cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, reaching airports far from corporate office regions, going to farms in areas close to urban centers or in residences on the coast and inland motivate the importation of rotary-wing aircraft” .
Street: Rubber stamp
