Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company has finalized an order for 12 Bombardier business jets worth about US$568 million, the Canadian planemaker said on Friday, as the Public Investment Fund-backed operator expands into fixed-wing aviation. The firm order covers five Challenger 3500 jets, five Global 5500 jets and two Global 8000 jets, Bombardier said, with THC retaining options for an additional 48 aircraft. Largely known for its helicopter-charter operations, THC announced plans to move into fixed-wing business aviation at the Farnborough airshow earlier this year, pushing to broaden its offerings as demand for private-jet travel rises. THC had signed a letter of intent with Bombardier for up to 60 aircraft at the airshow. As part of the partnership with THC, Bombardier said it has committed to a long-term strategic investment that includes a local footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Helicopter Company also signed a deal last November with electric air taxi firm Archer Aviation to develop, test and potentially deploy electric aircraft in the Kingdom. (Reporting by Nandan Mandayam and Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)
