Helijet International Inc.

What Helijet International Inc. does

Helijet International Inc. is a privately held Canadian aviation services company founded in 1986 and headquartered at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia. The company operates a mixed fleet of more than 20 aircraft, including Sikorsky S76 twin-engine helicopters (IFR-capable, 12-passenger configuration), Eurocopter AS350 A-Star helicopters, Cessna Citation X jets, and Learjet 31A jets, from six bases across British Columbia (Richmond, Vancouver Harbour, Victoria Harbour, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, and seasonal Sandspit-Haida Gwaii). Helijet is self-described as North America's largest scheduled helicopter airline, having carried over 3 million cumulative passengers since founding, with scheduled daily service connecting Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo.

The company operates across six primary revenue streams: scheduled helicopter airline services (with fares ranging $103-$333+ CAD per one-way segment), custom charter flights (helicopter and corporate jet), 24/7 air medical transport under contract with BC Emergency Health Services, heliport management through wholly-owned subsidiary Pacific Heliport Services Ltd. (Canada's largest privately managed heliport operator), air cargo ($35 CAD per package), and bundled excursion packages with tour operators (Island Time Tours) and hotel partners (Fairmont Empress, Fairmont Waterfront). Its customer base spans leisure travelers, business commuters, healthcare providers, fishing resorts on Haida Gwaii, industrial/resource sector clients, and luxury charter travelers.

Distribution is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer via toll-free reservations, online booking (BlueSkyBooking), terminal walk-in, and the Aeroplan loyalty partnership (November 2025, the first helicopter airline globally to integrate Aeroplan, reaching 10+ million members); enterprise charter sales teams manage corporate and government accounts; and channel partnerships with Airble, Island Time Tours, and Fairmont extend reach. The company employs 160+ staff including flight crew, maintenance engineers, pilots, and administration. In 2023, Helijet placed a firm order with BETA Technologies for ALIA VTOL A250 electric aircraft and in November 2025 hosted Western Canada's first all-electric passenger demonstration flight, positioning for advanced air mobility integration.

Name

Helijet International Inc.

Legal name

Helijet International Inc.

Website

https://helijet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Helijet International Inc. is a privately held Canadian aviation company operating North America's largest scheduled helicopter airline, with charter, air medical, heliport management, and cargo services across British Columbia using 20+ aircraft.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Transportation Services

NAICS

Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (48819)

SIC

Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512)

akta.pro primary industry

Helicopter Passenger Services (TLAFAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD), On-Demand/Charter Helicopter Passenger Services (THABAGAB)

Keywords

• Helicopter airline services
• Air charter services
• Air medical transport
• Heliport management
• Corporate jet charter

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Scheduled Helicopter Airline: Passenger transportation on regularly scheduled helicopter flights between Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo. Revenue generated from per-person one-way fares across multiple fare classes including Full Adult, Senior, Children, Ultra-Saver, and Seat Sales. Fares range from approximately $103 to $333+ per person one-way depending on route, fare class, and advance booking timing. Additional revenue from bundled excursion packages combining flights with curated ground experiences.
2. Charter Flight Services: Custom charter aerial support for business or pleasure, serving corporate retreats, industrial operations, filming, sightseeing, resort transfers, and government contracts. Includes helicopter charter (Eurocopter A-Star, Sikorsky S76) and corporate jet charter (Cessna Citation X, Learjet 31A). Revenue is per-flight, variable based on aircraft type, distance, duration, and passenger count.
3. Air Medical Transport: 24/7 air ambulance and patient transfer services for BC Emergency Health Services and communities throughout North America. Operates dedicated Sikorsky S76 air ambulance from Richmond and Prince Rupert bases. Revenue derived from service agreements with public healthcare providers and government contracts.
4. Heliport Management Services: Pacific Heliport Services, the wholly-owned subsidiary, generates revenue from landing fees, helicopter parking charges, and fuel services at Vancouver Harbour, Victoria Harbour, and Nanaimo Harbour heliports. Landing fees range from $105 to $480 depending on aircraft size and duration.
5. Air Cargo: Time-sensitive package and envelope delivery on scheduled flights between Vancouver Harbour and Victoria Harbour or Nanaimo Harbour. Standard Heli-Cargo rate of $35.00 per package (up to 4.5kg/10lbs), with surcharges for overweight and dangerous goods shipments.
6. Corporate Jet Charter: Luxury jet charter services using Cessna Citation X (up to 8 passengers) and Learjet 31A (up to 6 passengers) for business and leisure travel across North and Central America, including Hawaii and Europe with a fuel stop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Helijet International Inc. operates North America's largest scheduled helicopter airline, providing point-to-point passenger helicopter service between Vancouver Harbour, Vancouver International Airport, Victoria Harbour, and Nanaimo Harbour using Sikorsky S76 twin-engine IFR-capable aircraft. The company also provides custom helicopter and corporate jet charter services, 24/7 air medical transport for BC Emergency Health Services, air cargo shipping on scheduled routes, and manages Transport Canada-certified heliport infrastructure in Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo through its wholly owned subsidiary Pacific Heliport Services, Ltd.

Product overview

Helijet International Inc. is North America's largest helicopter airline offering a diversified portfolio of aviation services. The company operates scheduled helicopter flights between Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo using Sikorsky S76 aircraft, complemented by custom charter services (helicopters and jets), air medical transport, and heliport management. The portfolio includes excursion packages partnering with tour operators and hotels, air cargo shipping, and future eVTOL integration planned. Pacific Heliport Services manages heliport infrastructure. The company recently joined Aeroplan loyalty program and is pursuing advanced air mobility with BETA Technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Scheduled Helicopter Airline Service Regularly scheduled helicopter airline services between Vancouver Harbour, Vancouver International Airport, Victoria Harbour, and Nanaimo Harbour using Sikorsky S76 twin-engine IFR-capable helicopters operated by two pilots with 12-passenger bench seating. Available to leisure and business travelers with multiple fare classes (Full Adult, Senior, Children, Ultra-Saver, Seat Sales).
• Charter Flight Services (Helicopter and Corporate Jet) Custom charter aerial support for business or pleasure, including helicopter charter (Eurocopter AS350 A-Star, Sikorsky S76) and corporate jet charter (Cessna Citation X up to 8 passengers, Learjet 31A up to 6 passengers) operating from multiple bases across British Columbia.
• Air Medical Transport (Air Ambulance) 24/7 air ambulance and patient transfer service operating Sikorsky S76 helicopters configured for up to 2 stretcher patients and 4 medical attendants, serving BC Emergency Health Services and communities throughout North America from bases in Richmond and Prince Rupert.
• Pacific Heliport Services Heliport management and operations subsidiary overseeing downtown Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo Transport Canada-certified heliports. Canada's largest privately managed heliport operator, providing landing fees, helicopter parking, and fuel services.
• Air Cargo (Heli-Cargo) Time-sensitive package and envelope shipping on scheduled helicopter flights between Vancouver Harbour and Victoria Harbour or Nanaimo Harbour, with standard rate of $35.00 per package (up to 4.5kg/10lbs), plus surcharges for overweight and dangerous goods.
• Cowichan Valley Wine & Food Excursion Package Bundled excursion package combining roundtrip helicopter flights with Island Time Tours' Cowichan Valley wine and food tour including visits to three wineries and a picnic lunch; $593.00 per adult (19+), minimum 4 guests required.
• Victoria City & Butchart Gardens Excursion Package Bundled excursion package combining roundtrip helicopter flights with Island Time Tours' Victoria city tour and Butchart Gardens visit; $563.60 per adult (18+), $528.32 per youth (13-17), $376.40 per child (5-12 accompanied by adult).
• Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Empress Package Bundled package combining helicopter flights between Vancouver and Victoria with traditional afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria.
• Bottomless Brunch at ARC Restaurant Package Bundled weekend excursion package combining Ultra-Saver helicopter flights from Victoria to Vancouver with bottomless weekend brunch at ARC Restaurant at Fairmont Waterfront; flight fare from $138 to $333 per person one-way, brunch at $69 per person.
• Helijet Aeroplan Loyalty Program Integration Loyalty program integration with Air Canada's Aeroplan enabling members to earn 250 points per Helijet flight (scheduled or charter) and redeem points across Air Canada and 45+ partner airlines to 1,300+ global destinations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.0 million+ guests transported since 1986
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Aeroplan (Air Canada)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 November 2025Helijet became the first helicopter airline globally to partner with Aeroplan, Air Canada's loyalty program. From November 12, 2025, Aeroplan members earn points on all eligible Helijet scheduled and charter flights and can redeem points across Air Canada and 45+ partner airlines to 1,300+ global destinations. Note: Helijet flights do not earn Status Qualifying Miles.
• Canadian Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025CAAM and Helijet co-hosted the arrival of BETA Technologies' ALIA CTOL aircraft at YVR in November 2025. CAAM's Executive Director described the milestone as proof that advanced air mobility is becoming operational reality for carriers and airports in Canada.
• Island Time ToursmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Tour operator partner providing curated ground excursions (Cowichan Valley Wine & Food Tour, Victoria City & Butchart Gardens) bundled with Helijet helicopter flights. Operating from Victoria Harbour Heliport, Island Time Tours picks up passengers for combined flight + experience packages.
• Maple Hope FoundationminorOthers · 1 January 2025Helijet donated a fully operational, medically equipped Sikorsky S-76A helicopter from its fleet for medical airlift use in Ukraine. Ukrainian engineers trained by Helijet to maintain and operate the aircraft. Facilitated through the Maple Hope Foundation and Unite With Ukraine.
• AirbleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 October 2024Online charter flight booking service Airble partnered with Helijet to offer online charter flight deals, expanding visibility to customers seeking private charter travel options through digital marketplace channels.
• Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Fairmont Empress and Fairmont Waterfront)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Helijet connects the two iconic Fairmont properties near its terminals in downtown Vancouver and Victoria. ACCOR Live Limitless (ALL) members receive 15% off helicopter travel when staying at either property. Combined packages include Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Empress and Bottomless Brunch at ARC at Fairmont Waterfront.
• BETA TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Helijet placed a firm order (with BC Premier David Eby support) for BETA Technologies' ALIA VTOL (A250) electric aircraft in 2023, aiming to become the first Canadian air carrier to provide passenger and cargo services using eVTOL. In November 2025, Helijet hosted BETA's first all-electric passenger demonstration flight in Western Canada (ALIA CTOL/CX300) at YVR headquarters, marking a major milestone in the partnership.
• Helicopters Without BordersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Helijet collaborates with Helicopters Without Borders alongside its eVTOL integration strategy to support rural and remote communities lacking access to affordable and convenient air services, including healthcare and cargo delivery.
• BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS)coreOthers · 1 January 2020Long-standing government contract with BC Emergency Health Services for air ambulance operations. Helijet operates dedicated Sikorsky S76 air ambulance from Richmond and Prince Rupert bases on 24/7 standby. Partnership spans 20 years including annual 'Santa Flights' bringing Christmas cheer to children in BC hospitals.
• Power To BeminorOthers · 15 January 2019Partnership generating annual donations based on number of one-way flights sold between Vancouver-Victoria and Vancouver-Nanaimo routes. Estimated donations up to $24,000/year. Power To Be supports people with barriers/disabilities accessing outdoor adventures. Helijet provides financial donations, in-kind sponsorship (vehicle livery, helicopter branding, occasional helicopter use for events).
• Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF)minorOthers · 6 November 2018Partnership generating annual donations based on Vancouver-Nanaimo flight sales (estimated up to $24,000/year). PSF uses donations for wild salmon restoration in Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island. Helijet also donates helicopter and pilot time for Chinook salmon egg-take programs in Rivers Inlet, contributing approximately 130,000 salmon fry per program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heli-One: Global helicopter operator and MRO provider (formerly CHC Helicopter affiliate). Operates helicopter transport and crew-change missions internationally, comparable to Helijet's charter and specialized mission profiles.
• Blackcomb Helicopters: BC-based helicopter charter operator serving Whistler-area tourism, ski, and corporate customers. Overlaps Helijet's charter, sightseeing, and corporate mission segments in coastal British Columbia.
• Alpine Helicopters: Western Canadian helicopter charter and tourism operator with bases in BC and Alberta. Comparable to Helijet's charter and tourism-oriented flight operations in overlapping western-Canadian geographies.
• VIH Aviation Group: Canadian-based helicopter operator with rotary-wing charter and MRO services across multiple provinces. Directly comparable to Helijet's charter, air medical, and fleet-management functions within the Canadian rotorcraft market.
• Cougar Helicopters: Canadian helicopter operator providing scheduled, charter, and offshore crew-transfer services in Atlantic Canada. Closest operational analog to Helijet's mixed-use scheduled/charter/medical helicopter model in a coastal Canadian geography.

Regional players

• Air North: Canadian regional scheduled airline serving Yukon, BC, and Alberta with charter capability. Comparable as a Canadian scheduled/charter operator serving non-mainline routes but focused on a different northern geography.
• Pacific Coastal Airlines: British Columbia regional fixed-wing carrier serving coastal and remote communities from bases including Vancouver. Comparable as a regional scheduled air operator in BC but uses fixed-wing aircraft rather than rotorcraft.

Emerging players

• Blade Urban Air Mobility: On-demand urban helicopter and air mobility platform in North America and Europe. Comparable to Helijet's on-demand charter and forthcoming eVTOL scheduled service in the urban short-haul category.

Broad incumbents

• WestJet: Major Canadian commercial airline offering scheduled service across BC and partner of Aeroplan. Comparable as a broader incumbent in BC air transportation but operates large fixed-wing aircraft rather than helicopters.
• Wheels Up: North American private aviation membership and charter provider with Citation and King Air fleet. Comparable to Helijet's Cessna Citation X and Learjet 31A corporate jet charter business but at much larger scale and with a membership model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Helijet
• Facebookfacebook.com/helijet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helijet-international-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/helijet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helijet International Inc.