Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Developments and Forecast by 2031

The helicopter emergency medical services market size is projected to reach US$ 12.51 billion by 2031 from US$ 6.29 billion in 2023. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 9.0% during 2023–2031. The increasing spending on healthcare-related services is likely to remain one of the key helicopter emergency medical services market trends.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Analysis

The helicopter emergency medical services market is moderately fragmented, with the presence of a large number of players operating across different regions. The need for air ambulance services is mainly driven by higher demand during emergency medical cases, where the patients are required to be transferred to another suitable location for their medical treatment. Various authorities across different regions have been taking initiatives to establish an air ambulance infrastructure across their respective locations. Several state governments across different countries have also been investing heavily in the construction of new helipads or runways to provide a better service for emergency medical needs. For instance, in July 2023, the state government of Maharashtra, India, announced its plans to establish 16 new helipads specifically for air ambulances on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Overview

Helicopter emergency medical services are witnessing strong growth and development globally in the commercial and government sectors, owing to their rising adoption in private hospitals and care centers. The multi-specialty hospitals are procuring helicopters to serve their patients in remote locations. In addition, hospitals are also collaborating with helicopter medical service providers to expand their service offerings in the critical and chronic disease care segment. The growing adoption of light and medium-weight helicopters in emergency medical services (EMS) in the air ambulance service sphere is also one of the major trends in the market. As per the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the company received 3,158 service calls in 2022, 278 more calls than in 2021. The increasing demand for air ambulance services is positively impacting the helicopter emergency medical services market.

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Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market: Strategic Insights

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Drivers and Opportunities

Increasing Spending on Healthcare-Related Services

The healthcare sector is growing rapidly owing to its growing coverage, improved services, and rising expenditure by public and private players. In addition, with the increasing awareness and focus on well-being and health-related concerns, the majority of the population is increasing their spending on healthcare-related services. Rising household income and increasing awareness about health and wellness have resulted in a growing demand for medical and healthcare services, including better treatment facilities, multi-specialty hospitals, advanced medical equipment and devices, and patient pick-up and drop services using helicopter ambulance services. Patients are now focusing more on premium healthcare facilities in terms of transportation and overall services. Customers in higher income groups put more emphasis on faster pick-up facilities in times of emergency and opt for air ambulance facilities offered by hospitals or independent trauma care centers. For instance, the US has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2022, US healthcare spending reached ~US$ 4.5 trillion, which averages to ~US$ 13,493 per person. According to a study published by the American Medical Association, in 2021, the majority of the population was spending on private health insurance policies, which accounted for almost 28.5% of the overall healthcare expenditure. High-range healthcare policies cover all the client's expenses and allow patients to opt for premium services, including emergency helicopter ambulance services. The growing demand for emergency helicopter services among customers positively impacts the overall helicopter emergency medical services market. Germany has a well-structured public healthcare system where all residents can access complete medical care. In Germany, all employed workers pay a healthcare insurance contribution as part of their social security involvement. This is approximately 8% of their gross paycheck, usually matched by the employer, who gives ~7.8%, totaling ~15.8%. In France, the Social Health Insurance system provides coverage to the complete population based on residence via numerous compulsory schemes.

Air Ambulance Cover in Health Insurance Policies

An air ambulance cover offers financial coverage for the expenditure encountered when opting for an air ambulance in times of requirement. Many insurers offer air ambulance coverage in their health insurance policies. A few others provide it as an add-on service that can be obtained separately from the health insurance policy. However, the coverage and its features may differ across various insurance service providers. Reduced time for long-distance travel, well-equipped facilities to address critical patients, and safe and comfortable transport of patients are among the major attributes of helicopter emergency medical services. Digit General Insurance, HDFC ERGO, TATA AIG, and Aditya Birla are a few insurance companies that offer air ambulance services. The increasing number of health insurance companies covering air ambulance services in health insurance policies is expected to offer opportunities for the helicopter emergency medical services market during the forecast period.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Report Segmentation Analysis

Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the helicopter emergency medical services market analysis are helicopter type, application, and end use.

• Based on helicopter type, the helicopter emergency medical services market is divided into light helicopter and medium & heavy helicopter. The light helicopter segment held a larger market share in 2023.
• By application, the market is segmented into medical aid and transportation. The transportation segment held a larger share of the market in 2023.
• In terms of end use, the market is bifurcated into commercial and government & emergency response. The commercial segment dominated the market in 2023.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Share Analysis by Geography

The geographic scope of the helicopter emergency medical services market report is mainly divided into five regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World.

North America has dominated the helicopter emergency medical services market. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and stroke and the growing consumer preference for air ambulance services for improved and immediate medical attention are boosting the demand for helicopter emergency medical services in North America. The region has the presence of helicopter ambulance service providers such as Air Methods, Global Medical Response, and PHI Air Medical. In 2023, Bell Textron Inc. announced that Life Flight Network had procured two additional Bell 407GXi helicopters and planned to obtain an additional Bell 429. Hospitals such as Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic are collaborating with helicopter ambulance service providers to offer enhanced emergency medical care support to their patients, driving the demand for helicopter emergency medical services in North America.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market News and Recent Developments

The helicopter emergency medical services market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. The following is a list of developments in the market for air ambulance services:

• In March 2024, Global Medical Response, Inc.'s Air Evac Lifeteam (Air Evac) team announced a new emergency air medical service transportation basement in Texas. The base consists of a Bell 407 GXI helicopter and trained staffed with Air Evac pilots, flight nurses, and flight paramedic crew members made available in Uvalde, South Texas. The company has a highly trained and experienced crew to respond to time-critical emergency requests in South Texas, US.
• In March 2023, Ambulance Victoria (AV) extended its contract with Babcock to continue providing air ambulance operations to support paramedics in providing the best care to patients across Victoria, Australia. The five-year extension of the existing arrangement for the Air Ambulance helicopter fleet, valued at more than US$ 370 million, will come into effect from January 1, 2026. This partnership helps the company provide the highest level of care for every patient, no matter where they are located across the state.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Regional Insights

The regional trends and factors influencing the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at The Insight Partners. This section also discusses Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Report Scope

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Players Density: Understanding Its Impact on Business Dynamics

The Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Report Coverage and Deliverables

The "Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market Size and Forecast (2023–2031)" report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:

• Market size and forecast at global, regional, and country levels for all the key market segments covered under the scope
• Market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and key opportunities
• Key future trends
• Detailed Porter's Five Forces Analysis
• Global and regional market analysis covering key market trends, major players, regulations, and recent market developments
• Industry landscape and competition analysis covering market concentration, heat map analysis, prominent players, and recent developments
• Detailed company profiles