Saudi Arabia's The Helicopter Company Firms Up Order for 12 Bombardier Jets

The order covers five Challenger 3500s, five Global 5500s and two Global 8000s. The agreements also give THC options on 48 more aircraft across the same three models. Exercising them would take its business jet fleet to 60. THC alone decides whether to take up the options, so the larger figure is a ceiling rather than a commitment.

The jets will be THC's first fixed-wing aircraft. They take a company best known for helicopter charter into business aviation, a market that Saudi Arabia's tourism, events and investment push is expected to feed. Bombardier described the deal as the largest business aviation fleet order to date in the kingdom.

The firm order converts a letter of intent the two companies signed at the Farnborough International Airshow in July for up to 60 aircraft. THC plans to use the jets for charter and aircraft management services.

Éric Martel, Bombardier's president and chief executive, called the agreements "a meaningful vote of confidence" in the company's aircraft, according to Aerotime. THC chief executive Captain Arnaud Martinez said the deal marked the company's entry into business aviation and pointed to growing demand in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

The three models span most of the business jet market. Bombardier lists the super-midsize Challenger 3500 with a range of 3,400 nautical miles, suited to regional flying within the Gulf Cooperation Council. The long-range Global 5500 seats up to 16 passengers and flies 5,900 nautical miles. The ultra-long-range Global 8000 can fly 8,000 nautical miles, enough for nonstop routes such as Riyadh to Los Angeles.

As part of the deal, Bombardier has committed to a long-term strategic investment in Saudi Arabia that includes setting up a local presence. Neither company has given the size of that investment or a timeline. The localisation pledge follows the pattern the kingdom has set for large defence and aerospace contracts, which increasingly come with commitments to build capacity locally.

THC has operated since mid-2019 and flies more than 60 helicopters for emergency medical services, aerial work, private charter and tourism. It is also looking beyond conventional aircraft. In November last year it signed an agreement with Archer Aviation to develop, test and potentially deploy electric air taxis in the kingdom. At Farnborough it ordered eight Airbus H145 helicopters, which are due for delivery in 2027 and 2028.

Neither company has given a delivery schedule for the Bombardier jets.