Hope Air

Hope Air is a national charity that arranges free non-emergency medical flights for low-income Canadians who must travel far from home to access healthcare. Since its inception in 1986, the charity has arranged over 100,000 flights. Since 2011, the charity's patron has been Canadian Governor General David Johnston. Also in 2011, Canadian comedian Rick Mercer became the charity's honorary patron Airlines donating seats include Bearskin Airlines, WestJet, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Porter Airlines, Hawkair, and Delta Air Lines.

Hope Air was founded in 1986 by Joan Rogers and Jinnie Bradshaw under the name Mission Air Transportation Network. In the early years, corporations signed up with Mission Air to use their planes. However, soon after launching Mission Air attracted commercial airlines, with over 90 per cent of flights taking place through airline partners currently.

By 1993, the organization had provided over 10,000 flights.

In 1995, Romeo Leblanc, then-Governor General of Canada, became Hope Air’s first Viceregal patron. Every Governor General of Canada since has been the charity’s patron.

In 1996, WestJet was founded and immediately donated its first flights to Hope Air. Its donations increased and WestJet is Hope Air’s largest airline partner.

In 1999, Mission Air changed its name to Hope Air. Also in 1999, Hope Air began to partner with private pilots who began flying Hope Air clients on their aircraft, as part of the charity’s Volunteer Pilot Program.

In 2001, Marc Garneau became a National Honorary Patron of Hope Air. He served in this role until 2015, when he resigned after being appointed Minister of Transport.

In 2006, the charity celebrated its 20th anniversary and arranged its 50,000th flight.

In 2010, British Columbia struck a partnership with Hope Air to provide flights to residents of the province who need to travel for healthcare. The province solidified its partnership with the charity by investing $1.5 million in 2015.

That same year, the organization arranged over 10,000 flights, the most ever in a single calendar year. On December 3, 2015, Hope Air celebrated its 100,000th flight.

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