Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company shifts gear with LoI for up to 60 Bombardier jets

Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) 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 firm order for 12 aircraft consists 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 aviation for jet charter and management, with the operator entering 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 aviation performance and capability.”

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.

Describing TCH’s expansion into business jets as a “natural extension” of its helicopter operations, Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, also 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 aviation ecosystem that supports Saudi Vision 2030 through innovation, 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 aviation sector and serves rising demand for private and business aviation in line with Vision 2030. It is also part of a broader push to build out domestic aviation infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign operators for premium travel.