Helijet International Inc., plans to become the first Canadian air carrier to provide passenger and cargo services using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The Richmond, British Columbia, company has placed firm orders for ALIA eVTOL aircraft from BETA Technologies.
Helijet will integrate the BETA-designed aircraft into its existing network of helicopter services in southwestern B.C. and the Pacific Northwest. The electric aircraft’s vertical take-off and landing capability will also have potential to enhance Helijet’s provision of emergency response, air ambulance and organ transfer services in the Lower Mainland, as well as support rural and remote communities that do not have access to affordable and convenient air services.
Built by electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, the five-passenger + pilot configured ALIA eVTOL aircraft is currently in advanced flight standards development towards commercial regulatory certification in 2026 and will be available for private and commercial service shortly thereafter.
Helijet’s decision to become BETA’s first commercial customer order from Canada is due in part to BETA’s intention to certify the aircraft for IFR (instrument flight rules) operations, and its interest to consider growing its industrial base in Canada. BETA has an R&D facility based out of the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
“We are proud to partner with BETA Technologies, who are leaders in the advanced air mobility space,” said Helijet president and CEO Danny 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.”
BETA’s selection as the first provider of eVTOL aircraft to a Canadian air services operator marks another milestone for the Vermont-based company. BETA has conducted qualitative evaluation flights with the FAA, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army, completed multiple thousand-mile-plus missions across the U.S., utilizing its own charging infrastructure, and recently opened its 188,500 sq. ft production and assembly facility, the first full-scale manufacturing facility for electric aircraft in the United States.
Earlier this fall, the electric aerospace company also flew one of its prototype aircraft across the border into Montreal, marking the first time a battery electric aircraft has landed in the city.
Over the past two years, Helijet followed and shortlisted three aircraft manufacturers designing and developing eVTOL aircraft for AAM ecosystems. In addition to BETA’s ALIA eVTOL, which meets Helijet’s future objectives for introducing sustainable, decarbonized aviation technologies in Canada, Helijet will continue to consider other shortlisted aircraft make and models for order.
Helijet is also leading the development of Canada’s first commercial vertiport at its downtown Vancouver waterfront heliport, which would connect AAM users to an intermodal transportation hub providing road, marine, air and rail access throughout the region.
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