Farnborough 2026: Saudi Arabia's THC Orders Eight More H145s, Doubling Down on Air Medical Services

Published: August 27, 2026  |  Category: Industry

According to a July 20, 2026 press release on Airbus' official website, Airbus Helicopters and The Helicopter Company (THC) announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028. THC, a company owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), is the Kingdom's largest commercial helicopter operator; the order is the latest placement under the framework agreement signed between THC and Airbus at Verticon in 2024, covering up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types over three to five years. For the air medical transport industry, the significance of this order lies less in the headline number than in the three trends it points to.

1. Eight More H145s Headed to EMS and Other Mission-Critical Operations

The press release states that the new H145s will support THC's expanding range of services, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and other mission-critical operations. Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, said the additional order reinforces the partnership developed with Airbus over the past six years: "The eight additional H145s will help to enhance our operational capabilities and position THC to further extend our footprint beyond the Kingdom, reinforcing our standing as both a regional and local leader and an increasingly prominent global player in aviation." Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, added: "The H145 has already proven its excellence in Saudi Arabia's demanding 'hot and high' conditions, and we are proud to see the growing number of H145s powering THC's operations as they scale their world-class services."

2. From the Dakar Rally to Urban EMS: The H145's Medical Track Record in Saudi Arabia

Notably, THC is no newcomer to medical missions with the H145. The press release recalls that THC, at the forefront of developing commercial helicopter services in Saudi Arabia, has already introduced the H145 into Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations and deployed the type in support of the Dakar Rally. From rescue coverage of a major cross-country rally event to an everyday aeromedical network, the H145 in Saudi Arabia has completed the transition from "special-event asset" to "daily medical infrastructure." For context, the global H145 family numbers more than 1,800 helicopters in service with over 8.6 million flight hours logged — one of the most widely deployed twin-engine light helicopter platforms in the world's air medical transport market.

3. A Multi-Year Delivery Window and "Structured Expansion": The Operating Logic Behind Air Medical Fleet Growth

One detail in the press release deserves attention from industry practitioners: the eight aircraft will be delivered across a structured two-year window in 2027–2028, which THC describes as reflecting "a disciplined approach to fleet optimisation", ensuring seamless availability as new aircraft are integrated into operations. For any organization planning an aeromedical network, this reveals the universal logic of fleet expansion: aircraft delivery is only the starting point. Pilot training, maintenance capability, medical cabin configuration, ground ambulance handover and dispatch systems must all scale in step before new airframes translate into usable medical transport capacity. The 2024 Verticon framework agreement's pace of up to 120 aircraft over three to five years also suggests that Saudi Arabia's aeromedical capacity build-out remains on an upward trajectory.

Disclaimer: This article is based on public information from the official Airbus website (airbus.com; press release "The Helicopter Company orders eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters", published July 20, 2026, accessed August 27, 2026); delivery and operational details are subject to the companies' official announcements. This is an industry news commentary, not medical or investment advice; the feasibility and specific plan of any air medical transfer must be assessed by professional medical institutions.