Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) has signed firm purchase agreements for 12 Bombardier business jets as it moves into fixed-wing aviation, with options that could expand the fleet to 60 aircraft.
The order, valued at about $568 million at 2026 list prices, comprises five Challenger 3500s, five Global 5500s and two Global 8000s. A further 48 aircraft are covered by options, but any decision to exercise them remains at THC’s discretion.
The agreements were signed on 13 November 2026 and convert a letter of intent announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July into a binding order. Bombardier described the transaction as the largest business aviation fleet order to date in Saudi Arabia.
| Aircraft | Firm order | Options included |
|---|---|---|
| Challenger 3500 | Five | 48 aircraft across the three types |
| Global 5500 | Five | |
| Global 8000 | Two |
First fixed-wing aircraft for THC
THC is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and has operated more than 60 helicopters since it began operations in mid-2019. Its existing activities include emergency medical services, aerial work, private charter and tourism. The Bombardier fleet will be the company’s first fixed-wing aircraft.
The company said in July that it planned to use the jets for charter and aircraft management. The order therefore extends THC’s operating model beyond its established helicopter activities, while giving it a fleet covering super-midsize and ultra-long-range business aviation missions.
“The firm order marks THC’s entry into business aviation and the next step in building an integrated aviation operator for the Kingdom. Demand for business aviation services in Saudi Arabia and the wider region continues to grow, and this fleet allows us to serve it with the right aircraft from day one,” said Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC.
Fleet spans regional and long-range missions
Bombardier said the Challenger 3500 has a range of 3,400 nautical miles (6,297km), while the Global 5500 has a range of 5,900 nautical miles (10,927km). The manufacturer gives the Global 8000 a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816km) and says the aircraft can operate nonstop between Riyadh and Los Angeles.
- The Challenger 3500 order totals five aircraft.
- The Global 5500 order totals five aircraft.
- The Global 8000 order totals two aircraft, with options across all three models.
The mix allows THC to combine a super-midsize aircraft intended for missions within the Gulf Cooperation Council region with longer-range Global aircraft. Bombardier said the Challenger 3500 accommodates up to nine passengers, while the Global 5500 accommodates up to 16 passengers across three living zones. The extracted announcement did not provide an intended delivery timetable for the firm aircraft or the options.
Bombardier has also committed to a “long-term strategic investment” in Saudi Arabia, including a local presence. The company has not disclosed the scope or timing of that commitment.
“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 Éric Martel, president and CEO of Bombardier.
The transaction follows Bombardier’s third-quarter delivery of 33 business jets, one fewer than in the same period a year earlier. For THC, the firm order establishes the initial aircraft base for its business aviation operation; the potential move to 60 aircraft depends on the future exercise of the options.
