Vancouver-based Helijet plans to launch regular weekday service between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo starting March 11.
Travel time is expected to be 18 minutes on the company’s 12-passenger, twin-engine, two-pilot Sikorsky helicopters that are equipped to be able to operate both in daylight and after dark.
Helijet plans to operate a total of 14 flights each weekday, including seven flights in each direction, spread out between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Flights will operate between downtown Vancouver and Helijet’s Nanaimo Harbour Heliport at the Cruise Ship Welcome Centre, which is a near Nanaimo’s city centre.
A downtown shuttle service, taxi and rental car services will be available at both check-in terminals. So will complimentary parking.
“Helijet has the edge by being able to take off and land pre-dawn and after sunset, which allows us to offer a wider range of flight times each day,” said Helijet’s president and CEO Danny Sitnam.
“Our quick flight time over the water, and our reliability, reduces the trip to little more than a short hop. We know commuters, business travellers and tourists alike will find exceptional value.”
The airline has an introductory fare for the flights of $109 each way, including taxes. The regular fare is expected to be $129 each way.
Helijet already offers regular flights between downtown Vancouver and Victoria.
