Richmond-based Helijet International plans to be the first Canadian air carrier to provide services using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts.
Danny Sitnam, CEO of Helijet, was joined by B.C. Premier David Eby and Skye Carapetyan, sales director of Beta, at Helijet’s Victoria Harbour Heliport for the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
The helicopter airline is partnering with Vermont-based Beta Technologies, an aerospace company, to build the five-passenger plus pilot Alia eVTOL aircraft for traveller and commercial transportation in southwestern B.C. and the Pacific Northwest region.
The aircraft are currently in advanced flight standards development toward commercial regulatory certification in 2026.
According to Helijet, the Beta-designed aircrafts are quieter, cost less, and are more sustainable for air transportation.
“We are proud to partner with Beta Technologies, who are leaders in the advanced air mobility space,” said Sitnam.
“We are committed to introducing and integrating zero-emission, vertical lift technologies and related ground/building infrastructure in the communities we serve and look forward to transforming our current heliport infrastructure to meet future urban air mobility vertiport standards.”
The electric aircraft’s vertical take-off and landing ability will also improve emergency response, air ambulance and organ transfer services in the B.C. and the Lower Mainland as well as helping rural and remote communities that do not have access to “affordable and convenient air services,” according to Sitnam.
Eby added supporting sustainable aviation technology is important to the province of B.C.
“This provincial government recognizes the potential of advanced air mobility to decarbonize the aviation sector, improve regional connectivity, improve emergency response times and introduce new manufacturing opportunities in our province,” he explained.
Helijet plans to introduce “sustainable, decarbonized aviation technologies in Canada.”
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