Helijet International will continue to offer no-charge flights for British Columbia's healthcare responders travelling on business between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

A trial initiative announced by the operator on 1 April offered free seats to doctors, nurses or others in the healthcare sector who needed to travel quickly to provide direct patient care, or to attend urgent medical strategy sessions or briefings on the COVID-19 outbreak.

“During our first four weeks, we've flown 140 health professionals. Based on that amount of interest, we've decided to extend the programme until further notice,” says Danny Sitnam, president and CEO of Richmond, B.C.-based Helijet International. “We want to do our part to help healthcare responders travel quickly between the lower mainland and Vancouver Island when they need to during this ongoing pandemic.”

Helijet is classed as an ‘essential service’ air provider and continues to fly daily scheduled passenger and cargo flights between the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. With valid identification, BC healthcare responders travelling on business can book seats free of charge on any scheduled flight between Vancouver Harbour and Helijet's Vancouver Island terminals in Nanaimo and Victoria, based on seat availability.