A private VIP operator has taken delivery of the 700th Bell 505, handed over at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 and underlining sustained demand for the light single-engine helicopter in the corporate travel segment.

The Bell 505 has accumulated more than 390,000 flight hours since entering service in 2017 and now operates in more than 55 countries across six continents. Built around the rotor and drive system of the Bell 206L-4, the aircraft combines a familiar handling profile with updated avionics and is supported by a global network of MRO and simulator training providers.

Robin Wendling, managing director, Europe, Bell, says: “Our team is honoured to ring in this Bell 505 milestone right here at the Farnborough International Airshow. The Bell 505 is an incredible multi-mission aircraft, and we continue to see operators choosing this platform to join their fleet.”

Beyond VIP and corporate use, the type also serves as a training platform for military forces in Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Albania, Montenegro, Indonesia, Iraq and South Korea. Its open cabin, with stadium-style seating, allows students clear sightlines from every seat, while the surrounding glass cockpit gives instructors and trainees wide operational visibility during flight training.