This past July, Helijet completed the purchase of all of VIH Helicopters’ assets and business operations in Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands), an island archipelago off the coast of central British Columbia. The purchase marks an expansion of Helijet’s operations in the island chain, where it already supports a number of sport fishing lodges during the summer months. Helijet said it plans to extend support to additional lodges and will now conduct year-round operations serving an array of industries, including forestry, fisheries and hydroelectric projects. The expanded operations will also serve the needs of Haida Gwaii communities, local environmental initiatives and the indigenous Haida people.

In keeping with the purchase, Helijet acquired two Bell 206 LongRangers from VIH, along with operating bases and facilities at the Sandspit and Masset Airports. The two LongRangers will be engaged in charter services while Helijet’s Sikorsky S-76 and/or S-61N helicopters will be dedicated to serving major sport fishing lodges during the summer months.

Helijet International Inc. is a Canadian-owned company and North America’s largest scheduled helicopter service. It began flying between Victoria, B.C., and the mainland in 1986 and has carried more than 1.9 million passengers in the past 24 years. In addition to its scheduled and charter services, Helijet is a major service provider of dedicated medically equipped helicopters and turbojet aircraft for the Province of British Columbia and numerous medical service clients.