Wednesday June 3, 2020 ~ VICTORIA | VANCOUVER
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in BC, Helijet International helped out with free flights for health care and emergency responders to get between Vancouver and Victoria as required. | April 1 first offering | May 4 second month of free flights
Now as the economy starts to reopen in the June-September Phase 3 of Restart BC, Helijet has announced more scheduled flights between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island effective Monday, June 8, 2020.
More flights Vancouver-Victoria and Vancouver-Nanaimo:
• The number of scheduled Helijet flights between Vancouver and Victoria will increase to five roundtrips each weekday, up from the current three daily roundtrips.
• The number of scheduled flights between Vancouver and Nanaimo will double to four roundtrip flights per weekday, up from the current two daily roundtrips.
Earlier start each day:
These additional flights also allow Helijet to offer an earlier start each day. The first Vancouver-to-Victoria flight will depart at 7:00 A.M., and the first Vancouver-to-Nanaimo flight will leave at 7:10 A.M.
Daily schedules will also end later in the day, with the last flight leaving Nanaimo at 6:00 P.M. The last flight from Victoria departs at 6:30 P.M.
Responding to travel demand:
“With businesses gradually reopening, and the provincial government planning to resume sitting later this month, we’re preparing to support additional travel demand for our flights to and from Vancouver Island,” says Danny Sitnam, President and CEO of Helijet.
“Although the entire air travel industry has been severely impacted by COVID-19, we pledged to keep operating with a reduced flight schedule as an essential service link to safely serve our communities, our dedicated guests and to keep the majority of our workforce employed. We are now in a stronger position to increase service provision as our guest numbers are anticipated to climb,” said Sitnam in a news release today. | Helijet CEO’s May 19 message about COVID-19
Sanitizing and social distancing protocols:
Helijet continues to protect the safety of passengers and crew alike by maintaining strict sanitizing and social distancing protocols, which include:
• Limiting the maximum number of passengers in all aircraft to six, instead of the usual 12, to increase the distance between travellers.
• Sanitizing aircraft cabins before each flight, as well as disinfecting high touch areas within the cabin and cockpit.
• Providing a detailed disinfection regime for all aircraft at the end of every day, to ensure no contaminants remain for passengers who board the aircraft next.
• Making hand sanitizer available to all travellers and staff at each terminal.
• Deeper cleaning of terminal facilities, washrooms and offices on a more frequent basis.
• Complimentary food and beverage service at terminals consists of grab-and-go pre-packaged foods and beverages only.
Health check required of all passengers, and bring a mask:
In adherence with Government of Canada COVID-19 travel restrictions, prior to being allowed to board their flight, all passengers are subject to a Health Check. That will include specific questions relating to any symptoms you may have, and whether you are under a mandatory Public Health quarantine.
All air passengers must also have a removable, non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. At check-in, passengers on all flights are required to demonstrate they have the necessary non-medical mask or face covering to be worn for the duration of the flight.
About Helijet:
Helijet International is a Canadian-owned company and the world’s largest scheduled helicopter airline, carrying over 2.4 million passengers in the past 34 years. In addition to its scheduled helicopter services, Helijet also provides dedicated medically equipped helicopters to the BC Air Ambulance Service, which is operated by the province’s BC Emergency Health Services.
Additionally, Helijet provides helicopters and business turbojet services to BC’s world-renowned fishing resorts, and public service and energy companies throughout the West Coast of British Columbia and Pacific North West. Additional Helijet details are available at Helijet.com .