Canada’s Helijet Makes History with Beta eVTOL Order

An agreement with the British Columbia-based helicopter airline represents the first eVTOL purchase from a Canadian air carrier and Beta’s first sale in the country.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 04:34 PM ET

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A digital rendering of Beta’s Alia-250 eVTOL, with a Helijet livery, flying in the skies above Vancouver, British Columbia. [Courtesy: Helijet]

Key Takeaways:

Helijet International, one of North America's oldest helicopter airlines, has placed firm orders for Beta Technologies' Alia-250 eVTOL air taxi, becoming the first Canadian air carrier to purchase this design and planning to offer the country's first eVTOL passenger and cargo services.
The Alia-250 will be integrated into Helijet’s operations in southwest British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest for passenger transport, emergency response, and air ambulance services, aiming to provide quieter, more sustainable, and cost-effective flights.
Helijet is also developing a commercial vertiport in downtown Vancouver, supporting the anticipated commercial certification of Beta's Alia in 2026, which is expected to unlock significant advanced air mobility business activity in the region.

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One of North America’s oldest helicopter airlines plans to add one of aviation’s newest aircraft designs to its fleet.

Helijet International Inc. on Tuesday announced that it placed firm orders for Beta Technologies’ Alia-250 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, becoming the first Canadian air carrier to purchase such a design. Helijet, Beta’s first commercial customer in Canada, also expects to be the first air carrier to offer eVTOL passenger and cargo services in the country.