Saudi Arabia's The Helicopter Company has ordered 12 Bombardier business jets worth about $568 million, with options for 48 more aircraft.
Bombardier said Saudi Arabia's The Helicopter Company (THC), owned by the kingdom's Public Investment Fund, has signed firm purchase agreements for 12 business jets valued at about $568 million based on 2026 list prices.
The firm order covers five Challenger 3500s, five Global 5500s, and two Global 8000s. THC also holds options for 48 more aircraft across the three models, which would bring the potential fleet order to 60 jets if all options are exercised. Bombardier said the decision to exercise the options is at THC's sole discretion.
THC, established under Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has operated since mid-2019 and flies more than 60 helicopters for emergency medical services, aerial work, private charter, and tourism. The Bombardier jets will be its first fixed-wing aircraft. The company said in July it planned to use the jets for charter and aircraft management.
The Challenger 3500 has a range of 3,400 nautical miles, the Global 5500 can fly up to 5,900 nautical miles, and the Global 8000 offers a range of 8,000 nautical miles, enabling long-haul connections such as Riyadh to Los Angeles, according to Bombardier.
The agreements formalize a letter of intent announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. Bombardier described the deal as the largest business aviation fleet order to date in Saudi Arabia and said it supports the kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification programme. Bombardier also committed to a long-term strategic investment in Saudi Arabia, including establishing a local presence in the kingdom, without giving its scope or timeline.
"The Helicopter Company's decision to move forward with these fleet purchase agreements is a meaningful vote of confidence in what our teams deliver every day," said Bombardier CEO Éric Martel.
The order marks THC's entry into the business aviation market and represents Bombardier's largest business aviation fleet transaction in Saudi Arabia as the company seeks to expand its presence in the Middle East.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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