The Helicopter Company signs LOI with Bombardier for 60 jets

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by Mike Stones

July 21, 2026

The Helicopter Company has signed a LOI with Bombardier, which includes firm orders for two Global 8000s and 10 other jets.

Saudi Arabian rotary operator The Helicopter Company has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Bombardier for the purchase of 60 jets as part of its expansion into fixed-wing business aircraft charter and management. The LOI specifies a firm order for 12 aircraft including five Challenger 3500s, five Global 5500s and two Global 8000 aircraft, with purchase options for 48 more jets across all three models. The agreement was revealed today at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The acquisition is designed to meet growing demand for private and general aviation in Saudi Arabia driven by the country’s expanding tourism sector, business activity and emerging destinations, according to The Helicopter Company (THC).

“As a portfolio of companies, THC was always poised to expand beyond rotary-wing aviation into fixed-wing operations,” said Arnaud Martinez, CEO, THC. “Our vision has always been to become the general aviation champion from Saudi Arabia to the world.” The operator aims to become the region’s leading business aviation operator and the national carrier of choice in private charters and business aviation, he added.

Key to achieving those ambitions are fleet commonality, advanced aircraft technology and a commitment to improving efficiency and sustainability, said Martinez. The 60-jet acquisition would help the country build an integrated aviation ecosystem that supports its Saudi Vision 2030 development plan.

The composition of THC’s launch fleet is designed to “combine efficiency, long-range capability and premium passenger comfort across the super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range segments”, said the operator.

“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,” said Éric Martel, president and CEO, Bombardier. “We are honoured that The Helicopter Company has selected Bombardier to support its future fleet ambitions.”

As demand for super-midsize category aircraft continues to grow across the region, the Challenger 3500 is ideally positioned to meet customer expectations for performance, comfort and reliability, said Martel. “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,” he claimed.

Launched in 2018, The Helicopter Company is part of Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF)’s strategy to build new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support its Vision 2030 development plans. The kingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator, THC has more than 60 aircraft serving sectors including emergency medical services (EMS), private charters and tourism.

Meanwhile, Philippe Lubrano, CEO of Rotortrade, part of THC group alongside Heliconia – the African aviation services operator acquired last November – said this week the organisation is operating a group aircraft acquisition strategy.

THC’s Letter of Intent – at a glance