Rotortrade enters Saudi Arabia with Riyadh centre

Rotortrade, a Singapore-based helicopter distributor backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has announced plans to develop a service centre in Riyadh.

The new helipark facility, with an area of 6,000 square meters over three floors, will bring together aircraft sales, maintenance, support services, completion activities and customer reception under one roof.

The architectural design work is underway and will be followed by the commencement of construction work, which is expected to take another 10 months. The facility will be completed within 2026.

The timeline on development phases, additional capacities and long-term positioning will be conveyed later.

Rotortrade partnered with The Special Integrated Logistics Zone Company (SILZ), the developer and operator of Saudi Arabia’s first Special Integrated Logistics Zone. 

“By attracting world-class aviation service providers like Rotortrade, we are not only enabling global trade, but actively contributing to the localisation of advanced technical expertise, job creation and the cementing of Saudi Arabia’s role as the regional aviation hub,” said SILZ CEO Dr. Fadi Al-Buhairan.

The move follows the full acquisition of Rotortrade by The Helicopter Company (THC), which was established by PIF in mid-2019. 

PIF’s aerospace and defence portfolio includes Riyadh Air, National Security and Service Company and Saudi Arabian Military Industries, according to the PIF website.

• Riyadh Air’s $1.5m-a-week London trial run
• PIF acquires 15% stake in London’s Heathrow airport
• PIF subsidiary to buy 120 Airbus helicopters