After three years in preparation, Alaena Hill has now commenced helicopter operations in Fiji

Elite Aviation introduces medium-size heli ops to Fiji

Newly established Elite Aviation is a wholly-owned and operated Fijian business, the largest operator of medium-size helicopters in the archipelago for tourism and SAR.

The company has signed a strategic agreement with Canada-based Wildcat Helicopters for a fleet of eight Bell 212s and 412s. The company is also in the process of building a heliport in Denarau to house its headquarters, as well as specialist landing areas around the country to give the fleet the widest coverage.

CEO and owner Alaena Hill says: "The concept came to me six years ago when we were caught up in the floods in Ba. We tried calling the local operators to evacuate us, but they had quadrupled their prices.

"While its been an uphill battle, and a shock to some, we have finally reached the stage where Fiji can rely on its own operator to assist in times of need. As the first commercial operation owned by an Itaukei [a national of Fiji] this is a leap forward. Hospitality runs in our blood and it has always saddened me to see the high charges made by operators to tourists pushing a simple pleasure flight out of the reach of the majority of locals and tourists. This is about to change." The company has received expressions of interest from over 30 different groups in Fiji.