The Helicopter Company signs for eight more H145s

Light-twins are taken from 2024 framework agreement signed with Airbus Helicopters.

Saudi Arabian rotorcraft operator The Helicopter Company (THC) has placed firm orders for an additional eight Airbus H145 light-twins.

Taken from a framework agreement revealed at Verticon in 2024 – for up to 120 helicopters – the latest batch of H145s are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028, says Airbus Helicopters chief executive Matthieu Louvot. The earlier deal also included 10 firm orders for the H145.

Captain Arnaud Martinez, THC chief, says the incoming fleet will be used for a mixture of growth and replacement.

However, at this stage, the operator is not specifying their intended use: “We have an idea where the growth is but telling you two years down the road where exactly where we use them [is impossible].”

Instead, they will be delivered in a “multi-mission” configuration which “gives us until the last minute to decide whether we turn left or we turn right”.

THC is owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund and has been rapidly expanding since its founding in 2019, providing sightseeing, transport and emergency medical services flights.

Meanwhile, sister company Rotortrade provides a vehicle to dispose of the firm’s used assets.

Airbus Helicopters has set up a support operation in Saudi Arabia to assist its customer and is looking in increase the number of personnel deployed.