About
The Helicopter Company (THC) is a Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) subsidiary, headquartered in Riyadh. CEO is Captain Arnaud Martinez. THC is an established commercial helicopter operator in Saudi Arabia.
On 19 November 2025 at the Dubai Airshow, THC signed two parallel MoUs for Saudi eVTOL sandbox operations: one with Archer Aviation and Red Sea Global, and one with Joby Aviation and Red Sea Global. Both partnerships are sandbox-stage frameworks for pre-commercial evaluation flights in H1 2026, not binding aircraft purchase agreements.
THC has not yet conducted operational eVTOL flights as of 20 May 2026. The role is positioned as the operator counterpart for Saudi sandbox trials under the GACA framework.
Key facts
Timeline
- 2025-11-19Archer + THC + Red Sea Global MoU signed at Dubai Airshow for Saudi eVTOL sandbox. [archer-ir-2025-11-19-thc]
- 2025-11-19Joby + THC + Red Sea Global MoU signed at Dubai Airshow (parallel partnership). [archer-ir-2025-11-19-thc]
Practical info
How to get there
By metro
n/a
By car
n/a
From the airport
n/a
Regulatory status
The Helicopter Company operates under the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia. The sandbox MoUs with Archer and Joby reference H1 2026 pre-commercial evaluation flights — no GACA Special Flight Authorization has been published for THC eVTOL operations as of 20 May 2026.
Current progress
As of 20 May 2026, THC's eVTOL role is at sandbox-MoU stage. No operational eVTOL flights have been conducted. THC's helicopter operations continue under PIF ownership.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Helicopter Company?
Does THC operate eVTOLs?
Are the MoUs binding aircraft purchase orders?
How is THC different from Falcon Aviation in UAE?
Sources
- [archer-ir-2025-11-19-thc] Archer Aviation IR — PIF's The Helicopter Company, Archer Aviation, and Red Sea Global Partner to Launch eVTOL Air Mobility in Saudi Arabia (19 Nov 2025) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-20
- [archer-ir-2025-12-10] Archer Aviation IR — Saudi Arabia's GACA Advances Archer's Pathway for Electric Air Taxi Deployment (10 Dec 2025) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-20
Verification flags
- Both Archer and Joby partnerships are MoUs, not binding aircraft purchase agreements.
- No GACA Special Flight Authorization for THC eVTOL operations published as of 20 May 2026.
- Specific H1 2026 sandbox flight dates not announced.
- THC has not published a standalone press release on the eVTOL MoUs — coverage is via Archer and Joby IR releases.