Saudi Arabia's The Helicopter Co. CEO Reveals Global Expansion Plans and IPO Aspirations
The Helicopter Co., a commercial chopper operator in Saudi Arabia owned by the Public Investment Fund, aims to expand globally and consider an initial public offering after establishing a strong presence in the Saudi market.
The company's CEO, Arnaud Martinez, revealed this plan at the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh.
The expansion aligns with the Saudi sovereign fund's goal to generate long-term commercial returns and develop new sectors in the Kingdom, as part of Vision 2030.
Martinez stated that the company cannot expand beyond borders until it secures its position in the Saudi market.
The CEO of PIF, Martinez, discussed their strategy of securing a market, then expanding business globally.
After creating something the Kingdom needs and growing the business, they go on an IPO journey.
Martinez emphasized the importance of agility and responsiveness in the Saudi aviation market, as they cannot wait for years to fulfill contracts or provide assets.
The CEO of THC (The Helicopter Company) emphasized the importance of being agile and only acquiring aircraft when necessary for the Kingdom's needs.
He highlighted that the company's role has evolved from mainly serving as an air mobility solution five years ago to now focusing on saving lives as a key segment.
The core of THC's setup five years ago was the large-scale projects such as Red Sea Global, Amaala, NEOM, and Qiddiya.
However, the scope of the company's role has expanded significantly beyond that.
The CEO of THC, Martinez, discussed the company's partnership with Saudi Red Crescent to provide emergency services to the Saudi population.
He expressed excitement for the next five years, which will involve expanding medical services, contributing to hospitality and tourism, and aiming to be a regional leader on a global scale.
THC also plans to invest in new technology to support these goals.
The CEO of a fully electric helicopter company, speaking at the Future Aviation Forum, stated that while the helicopter technology is ready, the readiness of the ecosystem, regulation, infrastructure, and airspace are the main challenges.
He also mentioned meeting with industry experts and being part of the aviation portfolio owned by PIF.
The forum is expected to bring together over 5,000 aviation industry experts, airline leaders, and airport executives.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation is hosting a three-day event focusing on discussions about global flight sector issues, air transport, environmental sustainability, and advanced air transport.
The event aims to enhance global connectivity and aligns with Saudi Arabia's goal to become a major player in the sector by securing $100 billion in investments by 2030.