Saudi Arabia’s leading helicopter company has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for up to 60 Bombardier jets, including a firm order for 12 aircraft.
The Helicopter Company’s expansion to fixed-wing operations
The LoI includes a firm order for 12 aircraft, consisting of five Challenger 3500 jets, five Global 5500 jets, and two Global 8000 jets. The agreement also provides options to purchase an additional 48 aircraft.
Welcoming THC’s partnership, President and CEO, Eric Martel, Bombardier’s CEO said the agreement was a “significant undertaking” with the OEM “honoured to have been selected” to fulfil the helicopter operator’s expansion as part of an extensive RFP process.
The strategic expansion into fixed-wing operations builds on THC’s existing rotorcraft operations in the Kingdom. It signals a shift into fixed-wing business aing an entirely different aircraft segment
“As demand continues to grow across the region for the super-midsize category, the Challenger 3500 is ideally positioned to meet customer expectations for performance, comfort and reliability,” said Martel.
The Global 5500, he added, continues to “set the benchmark in its class with industry-leading range and outstanding versatility, while the flagship Global 8000 ushers in a new era of business a
THC order for 11 Leonardo AW139s
THC’s LoI with Bombardier also builds on an earlier order on Tuesday for 11 AW139s from Leonardo. The AW139 order is part of an original framework agreement for up to 130 aircraft signed at HAI Heli Expo (now Verticon) in 2024. Deliveries for the new helicopters are expected between 2027 and 2028.
Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, said the deals with Leonardo and Bombardier “will strengthen our operational capabilities in the region and beyond.
“Every investment we make is guided by the same philosophy – to build an integrated aation, operational excellence and long-term value creation.”
THC has built a solid reputation as Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial helicopter operator, serving a range of missions, from emergency medical services and VIP transport to offshore operations. As well as contributing to THC’s fleet optimisation strategy, the orders announced by the operator during this year’s airshow are aligned with the company’s plans to grow its global footprint.
On Monday, THC announced an order for eight Airbus H145s.
Part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), THC’s fleet expansion supports the growth of the Kingdom’s general as apush to build out domestic a for premium travel
Lock into AGN, the official media partner of FIA2026, for all the latest news. Bookmark our page for rolling updates from the show.Lock into AGN, the official media partner of FIA2026, for all the latest news. Bookmark our page for rolling updates from the show.
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Business & General AerBusiness jetsFIA2026LeonardoThe Helicopter Company
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