The Helicopter Company orders 11 additional Leonardo AW139 helicopters
Saudi operator expands its AW139 fleet with additional aircraft to support emergency medical services, offshore transport, and other commercial missions
Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) has placed an order for 11 additional Leonardo AW139 helicopters, expanding a long-term fleet modernization program that includes support for emergency medical services (EMS).
Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the order builds on a framework agreement signed by THC and Leonardo in 2024 that allows for the potential acquisition of up to 130 helicopters. Deliveries of the newly ordered aircraft are scheduled between 2027 and 2028.
The additional AW139s will be used across THC’s commercial operations, including EMS, offshore transport, and VIP services, further increasing the operator’s capacity in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
The latest purchase follows the recent delivery of THC’s 40th Leonardo helicopter and will make the company one of the world’s largest operators of the AW139.
Captain Arnaud Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of THC, said the order would support the company’s fleet optimization strategy while strengthening its operational capabilities and future growth.
Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo said: “Building on our existing AW139 fleet, which has made THC one of the largest and most recognized operators worldwide, this new order will contribute to our fleet optimization strategy while supporting our plans to grow our global footprint.”
The order reinforces the continued demand for the AW139 as a medium twin-engine EMS platform. The type is widely used by helicopter emergency medical service providers worldwide due to its combination of cabin space, range, speed, and all-weather capability, allowing operators to conduct primary response, interfacility transfers, and critical care transport.
According to Leonardo, the AW139 has accumulated nearly 1,600 orders from around 300 operators in more than 90 countries, with the Middle East accounting for approximately 18% of the global fleet.
Elsewhere in the sector, the Czech Air Force recently received its first Embraer C-390 Millennium, expanding its capability to conduct medical evacuation, search and rescue, and humanitarian missions.