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

Verified

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, a major Canadian helicopter airline, has ordered Beta Technologies' Alia-250 eVTOL aircraft, becoming the first Canadian commercial customer for this design and planning to launch the country's initial eVTOL passenger and cargo services.
The Alia-250 will be integrated into Helijet's British Columbia operations for passenger transport, emergency response, and medical services, offering quieter, more sustainable, and potentially lower-cost flights for regional and remote communities.
Anticipated for commercial certification by 2026, the eVTOLs will be supported by Helijet's development of a commercial vertiport in downtown Vancouver, serving as a hub for the growing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.

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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.