THC CEO Voices Ambitions for Becoming Popular Mode of Transport in Saudi

The Helicopter Company is Saudi Arabia’s first and only private helicopter company | Asharq Al-Awsat
The Helicopter Company is Saudi Arabia’s first and only private helicopter company | Asharq Al-Awsat
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THC CEO Voices Ambitions for Becoming Popular Mode of Transport in Saudi

The Helicopter Company is Saudi Arabia’s first and only private helicopter company | Asharq Al-Awsat
The Helicopter Company is Saudi Arabia’s first and only private helicopter company | Asharq Al-Awsat

The Helicopter Company CEO Yahya Al-Ghoraibi believes that his company’s commercial worth is embedded in its ability to save the time of clients looking for an efficient mode of transportation.

Ghoraibi looks forward to helicopter transport becoming popular in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow, Ghoraibi revealed that the company plans to put a fleet of 50 helicopters of all sizes to work.

He explained that the company plans to provide air taxi services in the Kingdom, pointing out that among the company's plans is to also commercially operate routes out of Saudi Arabia starting to neighboring Gulf countries, but stressed that this comes at a second stage.

The Helicopter Company (THC), Saudi Arabia’s first and only private helicopter company, aims to provide a faster travel option for residents, pilgrims and visitors to the Kingdom, especially those who want to see hard-to-reach sites that have been opened up for tourism.

THC, fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, has already registered over 140 flights for customers.

Also in its services menu are private transport, emergency medical evacuations and tourism transfers. The company also works with hospitals and emergency services to provide support in areas in the Kingdom which are hard to reach by land, as well as providing flights for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

The company also works with hospitals and emergency services to provide support in areas in the Kingdom which are hard to reach by land, as well as providing flights for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Speaking about challenges facing the sector today, Al-Ghoraibi said: “The challenges are to keep up with the changes that are happening in Saudi Arabia for the better.”

“We currently have 13 highly qualified pilots, 12 of whom are Saudi nationals, and 65 employees, 60 of whom are Saudi nationals,” Al-Ghoraibi added on the level of localization within the company.



Australian Deputy PM Stresses Importance of Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles attends the annual Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) meeting at Lancaster House in London, Britain, 16 December 2024. EPA
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles attends the annual Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) meeting at Lancaster House in London, Britain, 16 December 2024. EPA
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Australian Deputy PM Stresses Importance of Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles attends the annual Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) meeting at Lancaster House in London, Britain, 16 December 2024. EPA
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles attends the annual Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) meeting at Lancaster House in London, Britain, 16 December 2024. EPA

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles stressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Australia, noting that the Kingdom stands as Australia's second-largest trading partner in the Middle East.

In a statement issued by his office, Marles indicated that his visit to the Kingdom and the UAE seeks to enhance collaborative efforts within the G20 and other multilateral institutions and aims to emphasize the unwavering commitment to a rules-based international order.

The statement further emphasized that the Kingdom is a crucial partner for Australia and that the visit presents an opportunity to broaden economic ties and explore avenues for deeper cooperation with regional leaders.

Marles said that this visit underscores Australia's commitment to fortifying economic and diplomatic ties with the Kingdom, recognizing its crucial role as a partner in addressing shared global challenges.

Marles met with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh on Wednesday.