Helijet International is a helicopter airline and charter service based in Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada.
Well known for its scheduled passenger helicopter airline services, it also operates a charter
division (Helijet Charters) serving the film, television, aerial tour, industrial and general
charter markets, as well as helicopter and jet air ambulance services.
Its main base is Vancouver International Airport (YVR).Sightseeing harbour and city tours and
scheduled services to Victoria and Nanaimo operate from the Vancouver Harbour Heliport
located on the shores of Burrard Inlet, adjacent to Waterfront Station.
The actual heliport is a floating structure located in the harbour waters.
Helijet is also British Columbia's largest air medical service provider, operating rotary
wing, fixed wing medevac aircraft including Learjet and Hawker.
== History == The airline was established in 1986 and started
operations between Vancouver and Victoria in November 1986 with one Bell 412 helicopter
and 14 staff members.
It was formerly known as Helijet Airways.
During the past 30 years of operation, Helijet has grown from one aircraft in scheduled service
with 14 personnel carrying just 22,000 passengers into a diversified company with 15 aircraft
and 150+ employees carrying over 100,000 passengers per year.
The company has an excellent record of aviation safety.
With US Helicopter now defunct in the New York City area since 2009, Helijet is the
only scheduled passenger helicopter airline service in North America.In the past, Helijet
provided scheduled passenger services with Sikorsky S-76 helicopters or Beechcraft 1900
turboprop fixed-wing aircraft to Seattle-Boeing Field, Abbotsford International Airport, Langley
Regional Airport, Victoria International Airport and Campbell River Airport, all of which are
still destinations accessible by Helijet Charters' services.
Helijet has operated large, 19 passenger seat Sikorsky S-61 helicopters as well including
in scheduled service between Vancouver and Victoria.
All scheduled passenger services between the company's heliports located in downtown Vancouver,
B.C. and downtown Victoria, B.C. have been operated for many years with twin engine,
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capable Sikorsky S-76 helicopters flown by two pilots.
During the 2013 summer season, all scheduled service between Vancouver and Victoria was
being operated with Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III turbine powered rotorcraft.
However, with the advent of the 2013 fall season, Helijet was once again operating Sikorsky
S-76 helicopters between Vancouver and Victoria and is currently doing so.
Helijet International operates the Vancouver and Victoria Harbour Heliports under its wholly
owned subsidiary, Pacific Heliport Services.
== Destinations == As of February 2016, Helijet operates scheduled
services to the following destinations: Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour Heliport)
Vancouver (Vancouver Harbour Heliport) Victoria (Victoria Harbour Heliport at Ogden
Point)Helijet operates air ambulance at the following heliports/airports in British Columbia,
Canada: Prince Rupert/Seal Cove, in Prince Rupert,
British Columbia Vancouver International Airport (YVR) - Home
base and corporate headquartersHelijet also operates helicopter services between Masset
airport and numerous fishing lodges in the Haida Gwaii area during the BC fishing season.
The fishing lodges have an operating helipad to facilitate this service, which includes
passenger and cargo transfers.
On March 11, 2015, Helijet began operating new scheduled passenger service utilizing
Sikorsky S-76 helicopters with seven roundtrip flights every weekday between the company's
downtown heliport located in Vancouver Harbour and the Nanaimo Harbour Heliport located at
the Nanaimo Cruise Ship Welcome Centre.
== Fleet ==
=== Current === The Helijet fleet consists of the following
rotorcraft and jet aircraft types (as of February 2019):
=== Former ===
HeliJet has operated the following fixed wing turboprop and helicopter types:
Aérospatiale Eurocopter AS355 (AS355 F1) Beechcraft 1900 (1900D)
Beechcraft Super King Air Sikorsky S-61 (S-61N)
British Aerospace 125 Series 800A