Bombardier THC deal: $568m order for 12 Saudi jets

The Bombardier THC deal confirmed on Friday commits Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) to a firm order for 12 business jets worth about US$568 million, with options for a further 48 aircraft.

The firm order covers five Challenger 3500, five Global 5500 and two Global 8000 aircraft, Bombardier said in a statement on 13 November. The value is based on 2026 list prices. The agreements turn a letter of intent signed at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026 into a binding contract.

Bombardier described the transaction as the largest business aviation fleet order to date in Saudi Arabia. Exercising the 48 options is at THC’s discretion, neither company has disclosed a breakdown of them, and no delivery schedule has been published.

What the Bombardier THC deal includes

The Challenger 3500 seats up to nine passengers and has a range of 3,400 nautical miles (6,297km), which Bombardier said suits missions within the GCC. The Global 5500 carries up to 16 passengers across three living zones and offers a range of 5,900 nautical miles (10,927km).

The flagship Global 8000 has a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816km) and four living zones. According to Bombardier, it can fly nonstop between Riyadh and Los Angeles.

Captain Arnaud Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of THC, said the transaction marked THC’s entry into business aviation and was “the next step in building an integrated aviation operator”. He added that demand for business aviation services in Saudi Arabia and the wider region continues to grow.

Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier, called THC’s decision “a meaningful vote of confidence”. As part of the partnership, Bombardier has committed to a long-term strategic investment in Saudi Arabia that includes a local footprint, although it gave no further details.

From helicopters to fixed-wing aviation

THC is a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company. According to Bombardier’s statement, it has operated since mid-2019, is the kingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator and runs more than 60 aircraft for emergency medical services, aerial work, private charters and tourism.

THC announced its move into fixed-wing business aviation at Farnborough in July 2026, saying it would add charter and aircraft management services. At the same show it placed a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled for 2027 and 2028, and ordered 11 Leonardo AW139 helicopters. In 2024 the company signed a framework agreement with Airbus for up to 120 helicopters.

Why the order matters for the Gulf

The Bombardier THC deal sits within PIF’s wider push into aviation. The fund also owns the aircraft lessor AviLease and launched the carrier Riyadh Air. THC itself was established under PIF’s strategy to develop new sectors in support of Vision 2030, the kingdom’s economic diversification programme, according to the statement.

For investors, Bombardier’s commitment to a local presence points to further localisation of aviation services in the kingdom, an area where PIF has been active in attracting foreign partners. It follows other recent PIF-linked financing and investment moves, including the $3bn Italy-backed PIF SACE financing agreed with 25 banks earlier this month.

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What happens next depends on how quickly THC can stand up the new operation. It has not said when the first aircraft will arrive or when charter and management services will begin, and further details on Bombardier’s Saudi footprint are also pending.

The full announcement is available in Bombardier’s press release, and more MENA aviation and corporate coverage can be found in our news section.