Richmond-based Helijet International (TSX:HJI) is launching helicopter tours of Vancouver departing from its downtown harbour heliport starting June 15.
The company, which is North America's largest scheduled helicopter service, has offered 10-, 20- and 30-minute tours in the past but never from its heliport east of the Vancouver Convention Centre, vice-president of operations Rick Hill told Business in Vancouver June 20.
"We've made the product more accessible," Hill said. "We used to fly the tours off of Grouse Mountain. Now, we will fly from the harbour, which eliminates the need to get to Grouse and the cost of going up Grouse."
He estimated that the helicopter company flew 500 people on tours last summer.
"Another difference is that you can book times," he said. "That makes it easier for concierges at downtown hotels or people at Tourism Vancouver."
The helicopter has capacity for five passengers, so being able to book ahead also adds convenience for consumers, he said.
The 10-minute tours ($99) are long enough for the helicopter to round Stanley Park, head to English Bay and soar above the city before returning to the heliport.
Hill said the 20-minute tours ($149) are the most popular. They track West Vancouver coastline and over Horseshoe Bay before rising to travel between the peaks of the Lions. The helicopter then passes over Capilano Lake and back to the heliport.
The 30-minute tour is long enough for the helicopter to fly up to Squamish to see the Chief Mountain.
