BETA Technologies Completes First All-Electric Passenger Flight in Western Canada
BETA Technologies (BETA) has flown its ALIA Conventional Take-off and Landing (CTOL) model CX300 aircraft into Western Canada for the first time. The CX300 is an electric aircraft that carries passengers and cargo.
The arriving aircraft was welcomed by Helijet International Inc. and Canadian Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM) at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
The flight showcases progress in Helijet’s goal of becoming the first Canadian air carrier to use electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for passenger and cargo air services.
In 2023, Helijet announced that the company was ordering BETA’s ALIA VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing), model A250 aircraft with the support of British Columbia Premier David Eby.
Helijet shared plans to integrate the ALIA VTOL aircraft into its existing network of helicopter services, providing benefits to travelers in the Pacific Northwest and southwestern British Columbia with benefits like:
- Quieter flight
- Lower costs
- Sustainable air transportation
Helijet also plans to use ALIA’s VTOL capability to provide healthcare and cargo air services in the Lower Mainland. Collaborating with Helicopters Without Borders, Helijet’s alliance partner, the company wants to support communities that lack access to convenient, affordable air services, such as remote and rural areas.
“Helijet is delighted to welcome the first arrival of the CX300 to our terminal here at YVR,” said Helijet President and CEO Danny Sitnam, “Today’s smooth and successful demonstration flight is tangible proof that the future of passenger and cargo flights is aboard quiet and emissions-free aircraft like the CX300 and its counterpart the ALIA eVTOL model from BETA Technologies.”
Sitnam added, “When it comes to customer service and environmental sustainability, Helijet is proud to be an early adopter of innovative technology that prioritizes the needs of people and the planet.”
“In the past two years, we have steadily increased our presence in Canada, from opening offices in Montréal, landing the first electric aircraft at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, joining the CAAM board, and forging an ongoing partnership with Helijet to help create cargo and passenger solutions for Western Canada,” said Sheradin Fabrizius, sales director at BETA.
Fabrizius continued, “We’re excited for the industry's growth as we demonstrate that quiet, lower-cost electric aviation is quickly becoming a reality across the continent.”
“Today’s arrival of the BETA ALIA CTOL (CX300) aircraft at YVR marks another aviation milestone for advanced air mobility in B.C. and Canada,” added CAAM Executive Director JR Hammond.
Hammond said, “The progress being achieved by Helijet, BETA and CAAM members across the country demonstrates that advanced air mobility is quickly becoming operational reality for carriers, airports and fixed-base operators worldwide.”