Saudi Arabia is laying the foundations for a home-grown business aviation champion as The Helicopter Company (THC) expands beyond rotary-wing operations and enters the fixed-wing private aviation market. The Public Investment Fund-owned company has signed a letter of intent with Bombardier covering a firm order for 12 business jets, alongside options for a further 48 aircraft.

If all the options are exercised, THC could eventually operate a fleet of up to 60 Bombardier aircraft across the Challenger and Global families. The agreement represents one of the most significant expansions yet by THC, which was established in 2018 and has since grown into Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial helicopter operator. Its move into business aviation will see the company offer private charter and aircraft management services as demand for premium and flexible air travel increases across the Kingdom.

The agreement was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, with the initial order comprising five Challenger 3500 aircraft, five Global 5500 aircraft and two Global 8000 aircraft. The signing ceremony was attended by THC Chief Executive Officer Captain Arnaud Martinez, Muhammad Ovais Yousuf, Head of Aviation and Security at the Public Investment Fund, Bombardier President and Chief Executive Officer Éric Martel and Bombardier Chairman Pierre Beaudoin.

From helicopter operator to aviation group

THC’s entry into fixed-wing aviation marks a natural extension of the company’s growth strategy, transforming it from a specialist helicopter operator into a broader general aviation business with ambitions stretching across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

“As a portfolio of companies, The Helicopter Company 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,” Martinez said.

The new business aviation segment has been designed to meet growing demand generated by Saudi Arabia’s expanding economy, rising business activity, tourism development and the emergence of new destinations and giga-projects across the Kingdom. THC aims to establish itself as the national carrier of choice for private charter and business aviation while also becoming one of the region’s leading operators. Its planned fleet will give the company access to aircraft across the super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range categories, enabling it to serve regional business travel as well as intercontinental journeys.

The Challenger 3500 is designed for the super-midsize segment, while the Global 5500 offers long-range capability. The Global 8000, Bombardier’s flagship aircraft, will provide THC with ultra-long-range capacity for some of the world’s longest business aviation routes.

Why Saudi Arabia needs a business aviation champion

The expansion comes as business aviation takes on a growing role within Saudi Arabia’s wider economic transformation. Private aviation has traditionally been associated with luxury travel, but in the Kingdom it is increasingly becoming an important part of the infrastructure supporting investment, tourism, major events and large-scale development.

Executives, government delegations, investors, project teams and international partners frequently need to travel between Riyadh and rapidly developing destinations across the country, including The Red Sea, NEOM, Diriyah and Qiddiya. Many of these emerging locations are connected to complex tourism, hospitality, entertainment and infrastructure projects where flexibility and direct access can be as important as premium onboard service.

THC’s expansion therefore reflects a broader shift in how business aviation is being positioned in Saudi Arabia: not simply as a luxury product, but as an enabler of economic growth and connectivity. “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,” Martinez added.

“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.”

Bombardier deepens its Saudi Arabia ambitions

For Bombardier, the agreement provides a major opportunity to expand its presence in one of the Middle East’s fastest-developing aviation markets. The Canadian aircraft manufacturer said the combination of Challenger and Global aircraft would allow THC to build a versatile fleet capable of serving a wide range of passenger and operational requirements.

“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,” Martel said. Martel described the agreement as an endorsement of Bombardier’s aircraft, workforce and long-term commitment to supporting aviation growth in Saudi Arabia. The manufacturer also plans to make local investments aimed at supporting THC’s future operations, alongside providing access to Bombardier’s global maintenance, service and customer support network.

“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,” Martel said.

THC’s fixed-wing expansion was accompanied by another major fleet announcement at Farnborough, with the company placing a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028 and form part of a wider framework agreement signed between THC and Airbus at Verticon in 2024.

Helicopters remain central to transporting visitors, executives and project teams to destinations where conventional airport infrastructure may be limited, while business jets provide regional and international connectivity. Together, the two aircraft categories could allow THC to offer more integrated journeys, connecting international arrivals with destinations across Saudi Arabia through a combination of private jets and helicopters.

Building a broader Saudi aviation ecosystem

The Bombardier and Airbus announcements underline the scale of THC’s long-term ambitions and its potential role within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem. The Kingdom is investing heavily across commercial aviation, airports, business aviation, helicopters, air cargo and advanced air mobility as it works to become a major global tourism and transport hub.

New airlines, airport developments and tourism destinations are reshaping the country’s aviation landscape, while demand is also rising for specialised operators capable of serving premium, corporate and remote-destination travel. By building a modern business jet fleet alongside its growing helicopter operations, THC is positioning itself to connect the different parts of this ecosystem. The company’s expansion also reflects the growing role of PIF-backed businesses in developing new national capabilities and reducing dependence on international operators for specialised aviation services.

For THC, the challenge will now be turning an ambitious aircraft order into a differentiated business aviation offering capable of competing on service, reliability and customer experience.

However, with plans for up to 60 Bombardier jets and as many as 120 Airbus helicopters under its broader fleet framework, the company is making clear that its ambitions extend far beyond remaining Saudi Arabia’s leading helicopter operator.