Helijet ‘Spools Up’ Charter Service Alternative In British Columbia

Helijet International said it is “spooling up” its charter services to communities in British Columbia, including those affected by commercial airline schedule reductions and route suspensions.

Based at Vancouver International Airport, Helijet provides fixed-wing and helicopter charter services, including flights of its Learjet 31A and Pilatus PC12 business aircraft to most communities in the province in 90 min. or less. The Learjet is configured for six passengers and is capable of speeds over 500 mph, offering clients the fastest way between communities.

The company’s two fixed-wing charter aircraft are complemented by Sikorsky S-76, Eurocopter EC135 and Airbus AS350 (AStar) helicopters.

With a base at the Prince Rupert/Seal Cove aerodrome, Helijet also can offer its fixed-wing passengers arriving at the Digby Island airport an additional 7-min. transfer flight by helicopter to the Seal Cove heliport in the port city of Prince Rupert, as an alternative to ferry service. 

Helijet’s charters provide year-round air service to economic centers in British Columbia including Kamloops, Kelowna, Fort St. John, Terrace and coastal communities. Prince Rupert has been “especially disconnected” by commercial flight service cutbacks to the province’s north due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said.

“It is not just moving people that is important,” said Helijet President and CEO Danny Sitnam. “Helijet’s fixed-wing and helicopter charter services have also proved valuable in the movement of much-needed medical supplies and equipment between [Vancouver] and numerous destinations in British Columbia during the global pandemic.”