RIYADH: The Helicopter Co., owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has placed a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028.
Announced during the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK, the move falls under a framework agreement signed in 2024 between THC and Airbus that covers up to 120 helicopters of various types over three to five years, according to a press statement.
THC has played a leading role in expanding Saudi Arabia’s commercial helicopter sector, introducing the Airbus H145 for emergency medical services and deploying the aircraft in support of the Dakar Rally. More than 1,800 H145 helicopters are in service worldwide, collectively logging over 8.6 million flight hours, with the model widely used for emergency response, law enforcement, offshore transport and utility missions.
This order further advances THC’s mission to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by strengthening Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and expanding access to world-class helicopter services for clients, both domestically and internationally.
“By investing in a fleet that is optimized, agile and future-ready, THC is strengthening our ability to anticipate and meet our customers’ evolving needs while supporting the Company’s next phase of development,” said Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC.
He added: “The eight additional H145s will help to enhance our operational capabilities and position THC to further extend our footprint beyond the Kingdom, reinforcing our standing as both a regional and local leader and an increasingly prominent global player in aviation.”
H145-Reliable with multi-mission capabilities
Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said: “This agreement is a testament to the trust THC places in our multi-mission platforms to support the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem.”
He added: “The H145 has already proven its excellence in Saudi Arabia’s demanding ‘hot and high’ conditions, and we are proud to see the growing number of H145s powering THC’s operations as they scale their world-class services.”
THC was established as part of the PIF’s strategy to activate new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support the realization of Vision 2030 by creating an entirely new ecosystem for general aviation services and introducing safe and efficient transport services across the kingdom.
The company, which has been in operation since mid-2019, currently operates more than 60 aircraft serving EMS, aerial work, private charters, and tourism.
