{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"94120","rtpr_id":"nGNX3mXxhW","ticker":"BBDB","exchange":"TSX","all_tickers":["BBDB"],"title":"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","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-07-21T14:04:00.102Z","article_body":"* THC expands into business aviation as the natural next step of its growth\n* THC and Bombardier signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) toward firm order for 12\naircraft including 5 Challenger 3500, 5 Global 5500 and 2 Global 8000\naircraft, with purchase options for 48 more aircraft across these\nplatforms((1))\nFARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Helicopter\nCompany (THC), Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial helicopter operator, today\nannounced its strategic move into fixed wing business aviation for the charter\nand management of jets. THC and Bombardier signed a LOI towards finalizing a\nfirm order for 12 aircraft, including 5 Challenger 3500, 5 Global 5500 and 2\nGlobal 8000 aircraft, with purchase options for 48 more aircraft across these\nplatforms.((1) )The signing ceremony took place at the Farnborough\nInternational Airshow, currently taking place in the United Kingdom until 24\nJuly. The ceremony was attended by CEO of THC, Captain Arnaud Martinez, and\nHead of Aviation & Security at the Public Investment Fund, Muhammad Ovais\nYousuf, and leadership from Bombardier, including CEO Éric Martel and company\nChairman Pierre Beaudoin.\n\nWith the launch of this new segment of operations, THC, a Public Investment\nFund (PIF) company, enters the business aviation sector as a natural extension\nof the journey it has been on since its founding in 2018. The new business\nstream is designed to meet growing demand for private and general aviation,\ndriven by Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism sector, business activity, and\nemerging destinations.\n\n“As a portfolio of companies, THC was always poised to expand beyond\nrotary-wing aviation into fixed-wing operations,” said Captain Arnaud\nMartinez, Chief Executive Officer of THC. “Our vision has always been to\nbecome the General Aviation Champion from Saudi Arabia to the world.”\n\n“Bombardier’s aircraft are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs\nof customers around the world, offering exceptional versatility, dispatch\nreliability and a world-class customer experience,” said Éric Martel,\nPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier. “We are honored that\nThe Helicopter Company has selected Bombardier to support its future fleet\nambitions. This is a powerful symbol of our companies’ shared\ncustomer-centric DNA and vision for economic growth in the region. This\nsigning also represents a significant endorsement of our aircraft,\nour people and our long-term commitment to supporting growth in the\nKingdom of Saudi Arabia.”  \n\nThe new business aviation segment addresses a growing demand in Saudi Arabia's\nbusiness aviation market. By combining a unique identity with a highly\npersonalized, customer-centric experience, THC aims to become the region's\nleading business aviation operator and the national carrier of choice in\nprivate charters and business aviation.\n\nTo launch, the company intends to operate up to 60 aircraft spanning\nBombardier’s industry-leading Challenger and Global aircraft families,\nincluding the Challenger 3500, Global 5500 and Global 8000. As such, the fleet\nwill combine efficiency, long-range capability and premium passenger comfort\nacross the super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range segments, to\nestablish a modern and highly capable aircraft fleet, built to match Saudi and\nregional demand.\n\n“Every investment we make is guided by the same philosophy - to build an\nintegrated aviation ecosystem that supports Saudi Vision 2030 through\ninnovation, operational excellence and long-term value creation.” Captain\nArnaud further commented.\n\n“Fleet commonality, advanced aircraft technology and a commitment to more\nefficient and sustainable operations are fundamental to that approach,\nenabling us to deliver the highest standards of safety and service while\npositioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of modern aviation.\"\n\n“As demand continues to grow across the region for the super-midsize\ncategory, the Challenger 3500 is ideally positioned to meet customer\nexpectations for performance, comfort and reliability. The Global\n5500 continues to set the benchmark in its class with industry-leading range\nand outstanding versatility, while the flagship Global 8000 – the\npinnacle of business aviation - ushers in a new era of business aviation\nperformance and capability,” added Éric Martel. “Our team looks forward\nto working hand-in-hand with THC to support their ambitions and success\nthroughout the lifecycle of their soon-to-be extensive, bespoke fleet. Through\nplanned local investments dedicated to supporting THC’s operations and the\nstrength of our global support network, we are committed to delivering the\nresources, expertise, and service wherever their operations take them.”\n\nThis foundation now underpins THC's expansion into fixed-wing business\naviation, supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia's general aviation sector\nwhile attracting investment and advancing localization to build a robust\naviation ecosystem in the Kingdom.\n\nAbout The Helicopter Company (THC)\n\nTHC was established as part of Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s strategy\nto activate new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support the realization of Vision\n2030 by creating an entire new ecosystem for general aviation services and\nintroducing safe and efficient transport services across the kingdom. THC is\nKingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator and has been operating\nsince mid-2019. THC currently has 60+ aircraft that serve diverse segments,\nincluding Emergency Medical Services (EMS), aerial work, private charters and\ntourism in the Kingdom.\n\nFor more information, please visit: https://helicopter.com.sa/\nLinkedIn: The Helicopter Company\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=14glnqUuAAs8hMsW7PemtCkyin1BD81t-jTOYwIEJlkHsF3WAVd-fpEpADqOoeUsDRuObgmPqqUYBJf9pxNurd2ajE3hPTYzFBCJT6GtT6Np7eMrnG-RGjpIALVSE9tM)\n\nFor any media queries on THC, please contact:\nTania Ahmed\nthc@kekstcnc.com\n\nAbout Bombardier\n\nAt Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s\nbest-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and\nbusinesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding\nstandards but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken\nneeds. \n\nFor them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation - innovating\nto make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate\nabout delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers\ngreater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect.\nBecause people who shape the world will always need the most productive and\nresponsible ways to move through it.\n\nBombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,200 aircraft, supported by\na vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities\nacross six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly\nmanufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada,\nthe United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the\nprestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication\nDesign.     \n\nFor Information\n\nFor corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Sustainability\nreport, as well as the company’s initiative to cover all its flight\noperations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the\nBook-and-Claim system visit bombardier.com.\n\nLearn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service\nnetwork at bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier.\n\nMedia Contacts\nGeneral media contact webform\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=_37Ngwftjx7ggGi33dU7xdm7MxgjlLIikmM9x28n31rBxV8SQjSKm_ulnQxJ_pLSusVc0bt5FdFIfoT27KrlrVS_klO1AmV4yydyVuZsaT_v7Li2ceesDSdqzaVdVvVQz9azzsuouMDxp-oTZj-lqQ==) \n\nMark Masluch \n+1 514 855-7167 \nmark.masluch@aero.bombardier.com\n\nBombardier, Challenger, Challenger 3500, Global, Global 5500 and Global 8000\nare registered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. \n\n((1)) The exercise of options would be at the discretion of THC. Also see\nforward-looking statements disclaimer hereinafter.\n\nFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  \nCertain statements in this release are forward-looking and based on current\nexpectations. Forward-looking statements require us to draw conclusions\nbased on assumptions and involve significant known and unknown risks and\nuncertainties, meaning that our results in subsequent periods could differ\nmaterially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Please\nrefer to the “Forward-Looking Statements” disclaimer contained in\nBombardier Inc.’s most recently published financial report for additional\ndetails.  \n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17388364-7e8b-4836-8d73-8c21f3f49b4e)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX3mXxhW","title":"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","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"BBDB","created":"2026-07-21T14:04:00.102Z","tickers":["BBDB"],"exchange":"TSX","article_body":"* THC expands into business aviation as the natural next step of its growth\n* THC and Bombardier signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) toward firm order for 12\naircraft including 5 Challenger 3500, 5 Global 5500 and 2 Global 8000\naircraft, with purchase options for 48 more aircraft across these\nplatforms((1))\nFARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Helicopter\nCompany (THC), Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial helicopter operator, today\nannounced its strategic move into fixed wing business aviation for the charter\nand management of jets. THC and Bombardier signed a LOI towards finalizing a\nfirm order for 12 aircraft, including 5 Challenger 3500, 5 Global 5500 and 2\nGlobal 8000 aircraft, with purchase options for 48 more aircraft across these\nplatforms.((1) )The signing ceremony took place at the Farnborough\nInternational Airshow, currently taking place in the United Kingdom until 24\nJuly. The ceremony was attended by CEO of THC, Captain Arnaud Martinez, and\nHead of Aviation & Security at the Public Investment Fund, Muhammad Ovais\nYousuf, and leadership from Bombardier, including CEO Éric Martel and company\nChairman Pierre Beaudoin.\n\nWith the launch of this new segment of operations, THC, a Public Investment\nFund (PIF) company, enters the business aviation sector as a natural extension\nof the journey it has been on since its founding in 2018. The new business\nstream is designed to meet growing demand for private and general aviation,\ndriven by Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism sector, business activity, and\nemerging destinations.\n\n“As a portfolio of companies, THC was always poised to expand beyond\nrotary-wing aviation into fixed-wing operations,” said Captain Arnaud\nMartinez, Chief Executive Officer of THC. “Our vision has always been to\nbecome the General Aviation Champion from Saudi Arabia to the world.”\n\n“Bombardier’s aircraft are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs\nof customers around the world, offering exceptional versatility, dispatch\nreliability and a world-class customer experience,” said Éric Martel,\nPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier. “We are honored that\nThe Helicopter Company has selected Bombardier to support its future fleet\nambitions. This is a powerful symbol of our companies’ shared\ncustomer-centric DNA and vision for economic growth in the region. This\nsigning also represents a significant endorsement of our aircraft,\nour people and our long-term commitment to supporting growth in the\nKingdom of Saudi Arabia.”  \n\nThe new business aviation segment addresses a growing demand in Saudi Arabia's\nbusiness aviation market. By combining a unique identity with a highly\npersonalized, customer-centric experience, THC aims to become the region's\nleading business aviation operator and the national carrier of choice in\nprivate charters and business aviation.\n\nTo launch, the company intends to operate up to 60 aircraft spanning\nBombardier’s industry-leading Challenger and Global aircraft families,\nincluding the Challenger 3500, Global 5500 and Global 8000. As such, the fleet\nwill combine efficiency, long-range capability and premium passenger comfort\nacross the super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range segments, to\nestablish a modern and highly capable aircraft fleet, built to match Saudi and\nregional demand.\n\n“Every investment we make is guided by the same philosophy - to build an\nintegrated aviation ecosystem that supports Saudi Vision 2030 through\ninnovation, operational excellence and long-term value creation.” Captain\nArnaud further commented.\n\n“Fleet commonality, advanced aircraft technology and a commitment to more\nefficient and sustainable operations are fundamental to that approach,\nenabling us to deliver the highest standards of safety and service while\npositioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of modern aviation.\"\n\n“As demand continues to grow across the region for the super-midsize\ncategory, the Challenger 3500 is ideally positioned to meet customer\nexpectations for performance, comfort and reliability. The Global\n5500 continues to set the benchmark in its class with industry-leading range\nand outstanding versatility, while the flagship Global 8000 – the\npinnacle of business aviation - ushers in a new era of business aviation\nperformance and capability,” added Éric Martel. “Our team looks forward\nto working hand-in-hand with THC to support their ambitions and success\nthroughout the lifecycle of their soon-to-be extensive, bespoke fleet. Through\nplanned local investments dedicated to supporting THC’s operations and the\nstrength of our global support network, we are committed to delivering the\nresources, expertise, and service wherever their operations take them.”\n\nThis foundation now underpins THC's expansion into fixed-wing business\naviation, supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia's general aviation sector\nwhile attracting investment and advancing localization to build a robust\naviation ecosystem in the Kingdom.\n\nAbout The Helicopter Company (THC)\n\nTHC was established as part of Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s strategy\nto activate new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support the realization of Vision\n2030 by creating an entire new ecosystem for general aviation services and\nintroducing safe and efficient transport services across the kingdom. THC is\nKingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator and has been operating\nsince mid-2019. THC currently has 60+ aircraft that serve diverse segments,\nincluding Emergency Medical Services (EMS), aerial work, private charters and\ntourism in the Kingdom.\n\nFor more information, please visit: https://helicopter.com.sa/\nLinkedIn: The Helicopter Company\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=14glnqUuAAs8hMsW7PemtCkyin1BD81t-jTOYwIEJlkHsF3WAVd-fpEpADqOoeUsDRuObgmPqqUYBJf9pxNurd2ajE3hPTYzFBCJT6GtT6Np7eMrnG-RGjpIALVSE9tM)\n\nFor any media queries on THC, please contact:\nTania Ahmed\nthc@kekstcnc.com\n\nAbout Bombardier\n\nAt Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s\nbest-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and\nbusinesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding\nstandards but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken\nneeds. \n\nFor them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation - innovating\nto make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate\nabout delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers\ngreater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect.\nBecause people who shape the world will always need the most productive and\nresponsible ways to move through it.\n\nBombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,200 aircraft, supported by\na vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities\nacross six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly\nmanufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada,\nthe United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the\nprestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication\nDesign.     \n\nFor Information\n\nFor corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Sustainability\nreport, as well as the company’s initiative to cover all its flight\noperations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the\nBook-and-Claim system visit bombardier.com.\n\nLearn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service\nnetwork at bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier.\n\nMedia Contacts\nGeneral media contact webform\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=_37Ngwftjx7ggGi33dU7xdm7MxgjlLIikmM9x28n31rBxV8SQjSKm_ulnQxJ_pLSusVc0bt5FdFIfoT27KrlrVS_klO1AmV4yydyVuZsaT_v7Li2ceesDSdqzaVdVvVQz9azzsuouMDxp-oTZj-lqQ==) \n\nMark Masluch \n+1 514 855-7167 \nmark.masluch@aero.bombardier.com\n\nBombardier, Challenger, Challenger 3500, Global, Global 5500 and Global 8000\nare registered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. \n\n((1)) The exercise of options would be at the discretion of THC. Also see\nforward-looking statements disclaimer hereinafter.\n\nFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  \nCertain statements in this release are forward-looking and based on current\nexpectations. Forward-looking statements require us to draw conclusions\nbased on assumptions and involve significant known and unknown risks and\nuncertainties, meaning that our results in subsequent periods could differ\nmaterially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Please\nrefer to the “Forward-Looking Statements” disclaimer contained in\nBombardier Inc.’s most recently published financial report for additional\ndetails.  \n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17388364-7e8b-4836-8d73-8c21f3f49b4e)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-07-21T14:04:00.135522336Z","server_sent_at_ms":1784642640135},"received_at":"2026-07-21T14:04:00.187Z","source_url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/07/21/3330637/0/en/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.html"},"analysis":{"id":"83166","press_release_id":"94120","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Air Freight & Logistics","sector":"Industrials"},"redFlags":["Agreement is currently a Letter of Intent (LOI) rather than a finalized firm order","Exercise of purchase options is at the discretion of THC"],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"The Helicopter Company (BBDB) signed a Letter of Intent with Bombardier to purchase 12 business jets, comprising 5 Challenger 3500, 5 Global 5500, and 2 Global 8000 aircraft, with options for an additional 48 jets.\n\nThis agreement marks THC's strategic expansion from rotary-wing operations into fixed-wing business aviation, aiming to capitalize on growing demand in Saudi Arabia's tourism and business sectors.\n\nThe potential fleet of up to 60 aircraft positions THC to become a leading regional operator, supported by the Public Investment Fund and Bombardier's service network.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":true,"suggestedAngle":"Saudi PIF-backed THC pivots to private jet market with potential 60-aircraft Bombardier deal."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"option_aircraft":48,"current_fleet_size":"60+","firm_order_aircraft":12,"potential_total_aircraft":60}},"quotedText":"Our vision has always been to become the General Aviation Champion from Saudi Arabia to the world.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Captain Arnaud Martinez","role":"CEO of The Helicopter Company"},{"name":"Muhammad Ovais Yousuf","role":"Head of Aviation & Security at the Public Investment Fund"},{"name":"Éric Martel","role":"President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier"},{"name":"Pierre Beaudoin","role":"Chairman, Bombardier"}],"products":["Challenger 3500","Global 5500","Global 8000"],"companies":[{"name":"The Helicopter Company (THC)","ticker":"BBDB"},{"name":"Bombardier","ticker":"BBD-B.TO","relationship":"partner"},{"name":"Public Investment Fund (PIF)","relationship":"parent"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":3,"reasoning":"Significant strategic expansion into fixed-wing business aviation with a large potential fleet (up to 60 aircraft), though the agreement is currently an LOI and not yet a firm order."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"BBD-B.TO","relevance":"partner"}],"primary":"BBDB"},"globalImportance":30,"audienceRelevance":15,"eventTypeSecondary":["partnership"],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"regional_mid_cap","eventGravity":"strategic_expansion_LOI","sectorWeight":"industrials_aviation"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":["partnership"],"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":3,"narrative":"The Helicopter Company (BBDB) signed a Letter of Intent with Bombardier to purchase 12 business jets, comprising 5 Challenger 3500, 5 Global 5500, and 2 Global 8000 aircraft, with options for an additional 48 jets.\n\nThis agreement marks THC's strategic expansion from rotary-wing operations into fixed-wing business aviation, aiming to capitalize on growing demand in Saudi Arabia's tourism and business sectors.\n\nThe potential fleet of up to 60 aircraft positions THC to become a leading regional operator, supported by the Public Investment Fund and Bombardier's service network.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"option_aircraft":48,"current_fleet_size":"60+","firm_order_aircraft":12,"potential_total_aircraft":60}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Captain Arnaud Martinez","role":"CEO of The Helicopter Company"},{"name":"Muhammad Ovais Yousuf","role":"Head of Aviation & Security at the Public Investment Fund"},{"name":"Éric Martel","role":"President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier"},{"name":"Pierre Beaudoin","role":"Chairman, Bombardier"}],"products":["Challenger 3500","Global 5500","Global 8000"],"companies":[{"name":"The Helicopter Company (THC)","ticker":"BBDB"},{"name":"Bombardier","ticker":"BBD-B.TO","relationship":"partner"},{"name":"Public Investment Fund (PIF)","relationship":"parent"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-4.7","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-07-21T18:01:01.976Z","global_importance":30,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"regional_mid_cap","eventGravity":"strategic_expansion_LOI","sectorWeight":"industrials_aviation"}},"durationMs":211694,"modelName":"glm-4.7"}}