The Helicopter Company, Saudi Arabia’s largest commercial helicopter operator, has entered fixed-wing business aviation for the charter and management of jets, signing a letter of intent with Bombardier toward a firm order for 12 aircraft.
The letter of intent covers five Challenger 3500, five Global 5500 and two Global 8000 aircraft, with purchase options for a further 48 across the three platforms. The signing took place at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, which ran until 24 July. It was attended by THC chief executive officer Arnaud Martinez, head of aviation and security at the Public Investment Fund Muhammad Ovais Yousuf, and Bombardier leadership including chief executive officer Éric Martel and chairman Pierre Beaudoin.
THC, a Public Investment Fund company, enters the business aviation sector as an extension of the path it has followed since its founding in 2018. The new business stream is intended to meet demand for private and general aviation driven by Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism sector, business activity and emerging destinations.
“As a portfolio of companies, THC was always poised to expand beyond rotary-wing aviation into fixed-wing operations,” says Arnaud Martinez, chief executive officer of THC. “Our vision has always been to become the General Aviation Champion from Saudi Arabia to the world.”
“Bombardier’s aircraft are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of customers around the world, offering exceptional versatility, dispatch reliability and a world-class customer experience,” says Éric Martel, president and chief executive officer of Bombardier. “We are honored that The Helicopter Company has selected Bombardier to support its future fleet ambitions. This is a powerful symbol of our companies’ shared customer-centric DNA and vision for economic growth in the region. This signing also represents a significant endorsement of our aircraft, our people and our long-term commitment to supporting growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
At launch, THC intends to operate up to 60 aircraft spanning Bombardier’s Challenger and Global families, including the Challenger 3500, Global 5500 and Global 8000. The fleet is intended to combine efficiency, long-range capability and passenger comfort across the super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range segments to match Saudi and regional demand.
“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,” adds Martinez. “Fleet commonality, advanced aircraft technology and a commitment to more efficient and sustainable operations are fundamental to that approach, enabling us to deliver the highest standards of safety and service while positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of modern aviation.”
“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. The Global 5500 continues to set the benchmark in its class with industry-leading range and outstanding versatility, while the flagship Global 8000 – the pinnacle of business aviation – ushers in a new era of business aviation performance and capability,” adds Martel.
