Saudi Arabia’s leading helicopter operator firms up order for 8 additional Airbus H145 helicopters

The Helicopter Company (THC) has firmed up an order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028. The order falls under an earlier agreement made in 2024.

Part of Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), The Helicopter Company (THC) is an important asset to the Kingdom’s emergency medical services (EMS). The helicopter operator has around 20 bases across Saudi Arabia, with its fleet comprising Leonardo AW139s, Airbus H125s, Airbus H145s and Airbus H160s.

The Helicopter Company’s order for eight H145s builds on a broader agreement

The order confirmed at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 for eight additional Airbus H145s falls under a broader agreement signed at Verticon in 2024 for up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types.

“The additional order of H145s reinforces the dynamic partnership we have developed with Airbus over the past six years,” commented Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC.

The expansion of its fleet will enable THC to “anticipate and meet customers’ evolving needs,” he added. “The eight additional H145s will help to enhance our operational capabilities and position THC to further extend our footprint beyond the Kingdom, reinforcing our standing as both a regional and local leader and an increasingly prominent global player in aviation.”

Why the H145 is suitable for Saudi Arabia’s extreme temperatures

With more than 2,150 aircraft delivered to operators worldwide and over 8,5 million flight hours accumulated, the H145 is a proven four-tonne-class twin-engine helicopter delivering mission versatility from emergency medical services to law enforcement, offshore transport, and passenger aviation.

The new helicopters will support THC’s expanding range of services, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), aerial work, Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and other mission-critical operations. The deliveries are planned across a two-year window in 2027 and 2028, enabling THC to ensure the “seamless integration” of the new aircraft into the existing fleet and operations.

Noting that the H145 has already “proven its excellence in Saudi Arabia’s demanding ‘hot and high’ conditions,” Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, added the OEM was “proud to see the growing number of H145s powering THC’s operations as they scale their world-class services.”

Operating in Saudi Arabia’s challenging climate, particularly the extreme summer temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius, requires robust aircraft. The H145 has also been described by Airbus as the quietest helicopter in its class due to its low acoustic footprint, relevant for urban air mobility and tourism missions.