The Nanaimo Harbour Heliport, located next to the cruise ship terminal/Hullo ferry operations, will receive electrical and lighting enhancements in the months ahead. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

helipad funding

‘It’s all about safety and security:’ provincial funds land at Nanaimo’s heliport

Jun 26, 2025 | 5:37 AM

NANAIMO — Several small airports around the province are getting a piece of provincial funding, including nearly $75,000 to bolster the Nanaimo Harbour Heliport.

Located at 100 Port Dr. next to the cruise ship terminal and Hullo fast ferry operations, the funds will support electrical upgrades, as well as enhanced lighting at the Pacific Heliport Services-owned facility, a subsidiary of HeliJet International.

Danny Sitnam, HeliJet International president and CEO, said underground electrical hookups to better service parked helicopters, as well as new helipad lighting will be installed.

“It’s all about safety and security of the site,” Sitnam told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Improved lighting will be particularly beneficial during nighttime operations, he said.

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“Whether they’re first responders or HeliJet scheduled service, especially during the winter the new lighting that will go into the facility will aid in safety and security.”

Sitnam anticipates the enhancements will begin in the next two to three months and be completed by next February.

The Nanaimo Harbour Heliport, operational for the past decade, is home to daily scheduled HeliJet flights between Nanaimo and Vancouver’s downtown harbourfront.

In addition, Sitnam notes charter operations and various emergency responders: police, coast guard and paramedic crews, use the Nanaimo helipad on an as-needed basis.

“It’s a fairly active area more and more and becoming well known as a very convenient drop off and pick up point.”

This year, the B.C government’s Air Access Program (BCAAP) supplied a total of $6.2 million to 16 regional airports, heliports and water aerodromes.

Since 2017, more than $70 million towards infrastructure projects at 80 air facilities across the province have benefitted from BCAAP funding, according to the province.

“We really appreciate government’s opportunity to fund these small airports, and at least have applications to assist in co-sharing in the costs of these small airfields, especially for rural and remote communities,” Sitnam concluded.

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