The Helicopter Company (THC), established by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as the first and only helicopter services provider licensed to operate commercial flights in Saudi Arabia, announced that it has signed a second purchase agreement with Airbus Helicopters. The deal includes ongoing expansion of THC’s regional fleet with 20 orders of the newly launched five bladed H145 and six ACH160 models.
Launching its services in 2019, THC was established by PIF as part of its strategy to activate new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support the realisation of Vision 2030 and generate long-term commercial returns, while meeting the growing demand for luxury tourism and air travel services. THC previously signed an agreement to buy 10 Airbus H125 helicopters to increase access to domestic tourism destinations and provide services such as filming and aerial surveying and is now further expanding its services with the addition of the H145 and H160 to its fleet.
“Our mission is to create a world-class national aviation champion and today, by signing this agreement with our trusted partner Airbus, we mark an important milestone in our journey to grow together with the nation in focus to fulfil Saudi Vision 2030. This deal comes as part of THC’s commitment to introduce new services with advanced technology that fulfil market demand and support the development of the Kingdom’s wider aviation sector,” said Raid Ismail, chairman of THC.
“We are honoured by the trust that THC is placing once again in our products and our teams and I am personally thrilled with this expansion of our partnership”, said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “THC will be taking full benefit of Airbus’ latest innovations with the five-bladed H145 and the ACH160, which we are certain will be valuable assets in their portfolio, enabling them to develop operations in the country,” he added.
The purchase agreement forms part of THC’s ongoing strategic regional alliances with industry leaders, including a recent partnership with The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project. The contract for the provision and operation of a twin engine helicopter, crew and maintenance technicians, facilitates TRSDC emergency medical services (EMS) with alternate configuration change capability for passenger utility transport at TRSDC’s site on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.
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