The Helicopter Company (THC), Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial helicopter operator, has placed a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028.
Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026, the order falls under a broader framework agreement THC signed with Airbus at Verticon in 2024, covering up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types over a three-to-five-year period.
THC, a company under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, says spreading the new deliveries across a structured two-year window will help it integrate the aircraft smoothly into its existing operations.
The Helicopter Company orders eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters
— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) July 20, 2026
Read the press release: https://t.co/8lYxVAl3e3 pic.twitter.com/Y0PKwKWOxU
Backing emergency and mission-critical services
The new H145s are expected to support THC’s expanding range of services, including its Emergency Medical Services operations and other mission-critical work carried out across Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, said the additional order “reinforces the dynamic partnership we have developed with Airbus over the past six years.”
He added that investing in a fleet that is “optimised, agile and future-ready” strengthens THC’s ability to anticipate customer needs while supporting the company’s next phase of growth. Martinez said the eight new helicopters will help THC “extend our footprint beyond the Kingdom,” positioning it as both a regional leader and a growing player in global aviation.
Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said Airbus is honored to deepen its partnership with THC through the new commitment, calling the agreement “a testament to the trust THC places in our multi-mission platforms” as Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector continues to expand.
He noted that the H145 has already proven itself in the kingdom’s demanding “hot and high” operating conditions, and said Airbus is proud to see a growing number of H145s powering THC’s operations as the company scales up its services.
A track record in demanding conditions
THC has played a leading role in building out commercial helicopter services in Saudi Arabia, having introduced the H145 for Emergency Medical Services and deployed the aircraft in support of the Dakar Rally.
The latest order is expected to further the company’s role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, strengthening the country’s aviation sector and expanding access to helicopter services both domestically and abroad.
Why the H145 fits THC’s operations
The H145 is the newest member of Airbus’s twin-engine rotorcraft lineup, designed with flexibility and mission capability in mind, particularly for high-altitude and high-temperature conditions like those found in parts of Saudi Arabia.
More than 1,800 H145s are currently in service worldwide, having logged a combined total of more than 8.6 million flight hours. The aircraft is also known for its low acoustic footprint, making it the quietest helicopter in its class.