Saudi Arabia – Saudi commercial helicopter operator The Helicopter Company (THC) has signed a Letter of Intent with Bombardier toward a firm order for 12 business jets, with options for 48 additional aircraft, as it enters fixed-wing charter and aircraft management.

The proposed firm order covers 12 aircraft:
- Five Challenger 3500s.
- Five Global 5500s.
- Two Global 8000s.
  THC would also receive purchase options for 48 additional aircraft across the three platforms, taking the potential fleet to 60 jets.
The Letter of Intent was signed during the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026.
THC intends to use the aircraft for private charter and aircraft-management operations, extending its activities beyond rotary-wing aviation into the super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range business-jet segments.
Bombardier identifies CAE as its authorised provider of pilot and maintenance technician training. CAE currently provides Challenger 3500 training from Montreal, Morristown and Vienna and has developed a Global 8000 training program using aircraft-specific simulation and courseware.
THC’s official 2025 figures list 62 aircraft, more than 900 employees, over 16 operating bases and more than 40,000 accumulated flight hours. The addition of a potential 60-jet fleet would represent a separate fixed-wing operating and training requirement alongside the company’s existing helicopter activities.

Statements

“As a portfolio of companies, THC was always poised to expand beyond rotary-wing aviation into fixed-wing operations. Our vision has always been to become the General Aviation Champion from Saudi Arabia to the world,” said Captain Arnaud Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of The Helicopter Company.
“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. 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,” said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier.

Source: Bombardier

Middle East Operator Signs 2026 LOI for Up to 60 Business Jets

This feature is only available to our Premium Subscribers

Share

Recommend this Post