DALLAS, March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky today recognized Helijet International for 30 years of safe scheduled airline and charter operations with S-76 helicopters. The recognition event was hosted at the 2017 Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show. Sikorsky is a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT).

Helijet's fleet of 11 Sikorsky S-76 helicopters is used primarily for scheduled passenger transport, air medical services and corporate charter services.  Sikorsky's global S-76 fleet recently achieved a seven-million flight hour milestone, to which Helijet's operations contributed.

Sikorsky also recognized Helijet President & CEO Daniel Sitnam for his dedication and commitment to safety, leadership and training throughout the 30-year journey.

"It is with great pride that we highlight this long-standing relationship and recognize Helijet for the trust placed in Sikorsky helicopters for the past three decades," said Sikorsky Vice President for Strategy & Business Development, Nathalie Previte. "This milestone is particularly notable as Helijet is the first helicopter airline with such a lengthy record of uninterrupted airline operations, moving well over two million passengers to date."

For more than 19 years, Helijet has provided air medical transport services through its British Columbia Ambulance Services (BCAS) division. The BCAS Airevac Ambulance Program is one of the largest in North America, with approximately 7,000 patients flown every year, with pilots often navigating rugged terrain and adverse weather day and night.

"Since 1998, we've flown over 25,000 flight hours and facilitated more than 50,000 patient transfers with BCAS, using the Sikorsky S-76 series helicopter," said Sitnam. "Helijet has proven itself to be a dependable service provider while working within the often-challenging circumstances of BCAS patient transfer assignments. Without question, Sikorsky's commitment to safety and customer service, and the reliability of the S-76 helicopter has been a key part of our success and our excellent safety record."

Sikorsky has delivered more than 850 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1979 and will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the S-76's first flight on March 13. The legendary S-76 helicopter operates in more than 40 countries on five continents.

For additional information, visit: Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services  

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

About Helijet International Inc.

Based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada Helijet International is the world's largest helicopter airline. In addition, Helijet is the largest air medical service provider of helicopters to the Province of British Columbia, as well as offering helicopter and turbojet air service solutions to world-renowned sport fishing resorts and public or private energy sectors throughout BC's West Coast and the Pacific Northwest. Helijet, in partnership with its medical service provision partner, also offers turbojet medical air service provision to clients throughout the North Americas and the Asias.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin