Saudi Arabia’s commercial helicopter operator, The Helicopter Company (THC), placed a firm order for 11 additional Leonardo AW139 intermediate twin-engine Helicopters at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026. The acquisition bolsters the operator’s rotary-wing capacity just as it announces a major expansion into fixed-wing business aviation.

In a press release issued during the airshow, Leonardo confirmed the new AW139s are scheduled for Delivery between 2027 and 2028. The order falls under a multi-year framework agreement signed by the two companies in 2024, which allows for the potential acquisition of up to 130 aircraft to support emergency medical services, VIP transport, and offshore operations.

Expanding the rotary-wing fleet

THC, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has rapidly scaled its operations to align with the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. According to Arab News, the operator currently maintains an active fleet of 60 aircraft across Saudi Arabia.

The latest commitment follows a recent milestone for the partnership, with Leonardo having just delivered the 40th aircraft to THC. The AW139 program itself has accumulated approximately 1,600 global orders across more than 90 countries.

“We are very pleased to move forward into the next stage of THC’s Leonardo helicopter fleet expansion and modernization plan which we launched two years ago, having also recently celebrated the delivery of the operator’s 40th aircraft,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, Co-General Manager of Leonardo and Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. “We stand ready and committed to supporting THC through its long-term strategy project to make sure our technology provides the high standard of service KSA’s communities expect.”

Strategic shift to fixed-wing operations

While the Leonardo order strengthens THC’s established helicopter operations, the company used the Farnborough Airshow to announce a fundamental shift in its business model. According to reporting by Aviation Week, THC signed a Letter of Intent with Bombardier on July 21, 2026, for up to 60 business jets.

The fixed-wing agreement includes a firm order for 12 aircraft, comprising five Bombardier Challenger 3500s, five Bombardier Global 5500s, and two Bombardier Global 8000s. The deal also includes purchase options for 48 additional jets, marking THC’s evolution into a comprehensive general aviation provider.

Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, noted in the Leonardo press release that the AW139 order contributes to a broader fleet optimization Strategy while supporting plans to grow the company’s global footprint.

AirPro News analysis

We view THC’s concurrent announcements at Farnborough as a clear indicator of the Public Investment Fund’s aggressive timeline for building a self-sufficient aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. By executing a massive fixed-wing order with Bombardier alongside steady, incremental rotary-wing acquisitions from Leonardo, THC is rapidly transforming from a specialized domestic helicopter operator into a diversified, international aviation services provider. The dual original equipment Manufacturers (OEM) strategy mitigates supply chain risks while ensuring the company has the specific airframes required to support both regional emergency services and long-haul VIP transport.

Sources: Leonardo

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced a digital communication tool that allows general and business aviation pilots to process Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) departure clearances through electronic flight bag applications, bypassing traditional radio transmissions. Announced on July 23, 2026, at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the “Mobile Clearance” system aims to reduce frequency congestion and minimize readback errors at non-towered airports or during closed-tower operations.

In a press release detailing the initiative, the FAA noted that the system mimics the Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC) technology long utilized by commercial airlines. By integrating directly into popular applications like ForeFlight Mobile and Garmin Pilot, the agency expects to transition a significant portion of the approximately 44,000 daily IFR departure requests from voice to text-based digital formats.

Phased deployment and testing

The Mobile Clearance concept originated in 2016 through a collaboration between the FAA and the MITRE Corporation. Operational evaluations commenced in May 2026 at airports in the Houston, Texas, area. During the summer of 2026, the FAA expanded testing to Appleton International Airport (KATW) in Wisconsin and New Century AirCenter (KIXD) in Kansas.

The agency plans to add flight plan cancellation capabilities to the applications in August 2026. By the fall of 2026, the evaluation phase will extend to airports in Kansas City, Nashville, and Austin. Following the conclusion of these operational evaluations in early 2027, the FAA intends to begin nationwide deployment. According to reporting by Aviation International News, this rollout will target 300 airports that currently lack pre-departure clearance services.

Electronic flight bag integration

The transition to digital clearances relies on software already prevalent in general aviation cockpits. Jeppesen and Garmin Ltd. have integrated the Mobile Clearance functionality into ForeFlight Mobile and Garmin Pilot, respectively.

“Mobile Clearance is a smart, simple improvement that builds on technology pilots already use every day. By moving routine clearances to a digital format, we can improve communication accuracy for pilots, reduce misunderstandings, and help controllers stay focused on aircraft movement and runway safety.”

The statement from FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlights the safety case for the technology. More than half of the 44,000 daily IFR departure requests are currently conducted verbally over the radio. Shifting these routine communications to a digital data link frees up air traffic controllers to concentrate on aircraft separation.

Garmin confirmed the integration in a corporate statement. Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice President Aviation Sales, Marketing, Programs & Support, noted that bringing clearance delivery directly into the application helps reduce workload and save time for both flight crews and air traffic control.

AirPro News analysis

We view the introduction of Mobile Clearance as a critical step in closing the technology gap between commercial airline operations and general aviation. While commercial airlines have utilized Tower Data Link Services (TDLS) and PDC for years, general aviation pilots have remained dependent on legacy voice communications, particularly at non-towered fields. By leveraging the existing electronic flight bag ecosystem rather than requiring new certified avionics hardware, the FAA is facilitating a much faster adoption curve. This initiative aligns with broader National Airspace System (NAS) modernization efforts, pushing the industry further away from congested VHF radio frequencies and toward robust digital data link services.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration

Daher Aircraft announced at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 20, 2026, that its new TBM 980 turboprop has secured an orderbook extending into mid-2027. The backlog follows the completion of more than 30 deliveries during the aircraft’s first six months on the market.

In a press release issued during the event, the manufacturer stated it is targeting a record 60-plus deliveries for the TBM 980 in 2026. The sales momentum underscores robust demand in the single-engine turboprop sector and validates Daher’s strategy of continuous incremental upgrades.

Delivery milestones and production targets

Since Daher officially unveiled the TBM 980 at its Tarbes, France, headquarters on January 15, 2026, the aircraft has maintained a rapid delivery pace. The company marked the European debut of the aircraft at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in April 2026 by handing over the 1,300th TBM family airplane, which was a TBM 980.

Daher Aircraft CEO Nicolas Chabbert attributed the strong market reception to the company’s focus on product quality and customer satisfaction.

“The TBM’s success has always been built on purposeful innovation. The exceptional response to the TBM 980, including the confidence shown by existing TBM owners, demonstrates how our strategy continues to resonate with customers around the world,” Chabbert said.

He added that each new version incorporates improvements while preserving the qualities that make the TBM a benchmark in its category.

Market dynamics and the TBM 980 upgrade

The TBM 980 represents the sixth iteration in the TBM 900 series since Daher acquired the product line in 2014. According to reporting by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the aircraft features the Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics suite, which includes three 14-inch edge-to-edge touchscreen displays. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine and includes the HomeSafe emergency autoland system.

Reporting by Aviation International News indicates that more than half of the customers purchasing the TBM 980 are repeat buyers. This brand loyalty is supported by a tight preowned market for previous generation TBM aircraft. Just Helicopters and Aviation International News report that only three TBM 960s out of 218 built and four TBM 940s out of 124 built are currently available on the preowned market.

Alongside the TBM 980 updates at EAA AirVenture, Daher also announced an expansion of its customer support network for the Kodiak aircraft family, adding authorized service centers in California, Arizona, and Bangkok.

AirPro News analysis

We view Daher’s success with the TBM 980 as a textbook execution of the incremental upgrade model. By introducing meaningful technological advancements like the Garmin G3000 PRIME suite without altering the fundamental airframe, Daher provides a compelling reason for existing owners to trade up. The exceptionally low inventory of preowned TBM 940 and TBM 960 models indicates that these trade-ins are quickly absorbed by the secondary market, maintaining high residual values that further incentivize new purchases. If Daher achieves its target of 60 deliveries in 2026, it will cement the TBM 980 as one of the most successful product launches in the history of the single-engine turboprop segment.

Sources: Daher Aircraft