This new battery plane could be a part of Helijet's fleet in the future | Daily Hive

This new generation battery-powered plane could be a part of the future of Helijet's fleet

Demonstration and testing of Beta's ALIA CTOL plane at Vancouver International Airport on Nov. 4, 2025. (Helijet)

A new kind of aircraft quietly touched down at the south terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) today, marking a major step toward cleaner, quieter air travel in Western Canada for shorter-distance trips.

Helijet and the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility group welcomed the arrival of Beta Technologies’ ALIA CTOL CX300 — a battery-electric plane that can carry passengers and cargo. This is the first time the aircraft has ever flown into Western Canada.

The local demonstration and testing of this conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) plane is part of Helijet’s process to adopt battery-electric aircraft for regular passenger and cargo flights in the not-so-distant future.

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In 2021, Helijet first announced its business partnership with New York City-based Blade Urban Air Mobility, which is working closely with Beta on using the Vermont-based manufacturer’s new generation battery-electric aircraft. Then, in 2023, Helijet placed firm orders with Beta for the ALIA VTOL aircraft.

Helijet hopes to become the first Canadian air carrier to operate battery-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft by Beta, which is a different model than CTOL, as it can take off and land like a helicopter without a runway, but still fly like a plane when airborne.

The ALIA CTOL currently at YVR is different from the ALIA VTOL model that Helijet intends to primarily use. However, a Helijet spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized today the company is also considering buying the fixed-wing ALIA CTOL, in addition to its firm orders for the ALIA VTOL.

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Demonstration and testing of Beta’s ALIA CTOL plane at Vancouver International Airport on Nov. 4, 2025. (Helijet)

The ALIA CTOL has one five-blade fixed-pitch propeller and requires a runway to operate, while the ALIA VTOL has four two-blade vertical lift propellers for helicopter-like vertical lift in addition to the one five-blade fixed-pitch propeller. Both aircraft models are 50 ft. in length, carry up to five passengers, have a dual pilot configuration, and can reach speeds of up to about 283 km/h. The maximum demonstrated range for the ALIA CTOL is about 622 km, while the ALIA VTOL has a target range of 460 km. A full charge can be achieved in about one hour.

According to Beta, the ALIA CTOL costs US$18 per hour in electricity to run — considerably less than the US$347 per hour for fuel of a comparable Cessna 208 plane. As well, the ALIA VTOL’s power costs are just US$28 per hour with its batteries, compared to US$311 per hour for the fuel needed for a conventional Bell 407 helicopter.

The future fleet of VTOL and potential CTOL aircraft will be integrated into Helijet’s existing network of conventional helicopters. Helijet’s fleet is currently comprised of both helicopters, entailing the Airbus Helicopter H125 and Sikorsky S76, and fixed-wing planes, entailing the LearJet 31A and Pilatus PC-12.

Specifically, the VTOL could support healthcare operations and provide more affordable and convenient air transportation services for rural and remote communities.

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Flight test of Beta’ ALIA 250 VTOL aircraft. (Beta Technologies)

Artistic rendering of Beta Technologies’ ALIA 250 VTOL aircraft used by Helijet in downtown Vancouver. (Beta/Helijet)

Artistic rendering of Beta Technologies’ ALIA 250 eVTOL aircraft used by Helijet, flying over Vancouver. (Beta/Helijet)

“Helijet is delighted to welcome the first arrival of the CX300 to our terminal here at YVR,” said Danny Sitnam, the president and CEO of Helijet.

“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.”

In recent years, Beta has opened a Canadian office in Montreal and tested its aircraft at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Harbour Air, Helijet’s main competitor, is also transitioning towards a battery-electric fleet. In 2024, it announced a purchase of 50 battery-electric engines to convert its existing fleet of seaplanes.

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