The Helicopter Company Signs LOI with Bombardier at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 for a Fleet of Up to 60 New State-of-the-Art Jets

The Helicopter Company (THC) announced a move into business aviation at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 by signing a Letter of Intent with Bombardier for a potential fleet of up to 60 jets. The companies agreed to work toward a firm order for 12 aircraft, including five Challenger 3500, five Global 5500 and two Global 8000, with purchase options for an additional 48 aircraft across the same platforms. The signing took place on July 21, 2026, at the airshow in the United Kingdom, which runs until July 24. THC said the initiative targets charter and management demand, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism, business activity and new destinations. The event was attended by THC CEO Captain Arnaud Martinez and representatives including Muhammad Ovais Yousuf from the Public Investment Fund, as well as Bombardier CEO Éric Martel and Chairman Pierre Beaudoin. THC describes the plan as an extension beyond its helicopter operations launched in 2018, supported through its PIF ownership.