Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Returns for 3rd Annual Haul for Hope in Vancouver
VANCOUVER, September 9, 2025 – Hope Air is thrilled to announce the return of Haul for Hope to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for its third annual event. On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, teams from across the region will gather at Signature Aviation to take on the challenge of pulling a 67,000 lb WestJet aircraft 75 metres—a symbolic feat representing the real-life challenges faced by Canadians who must travel long distances for essential medical care.
This year’s event builds on the tremendous momentum of the 2024 Haul for Hope event, which brought together dozens of corporate teams and raised vital funds to support Hope Air’s growing patient programs. With record-breaking demand—more than 45,000 travel arrangements were provided in 2024 with 8,615 Hope Air patient flights travelling through YVR, representing 94% of all Hope Air patient travel in British Columbia and 62% nationally. Patient demand is projected to rise another 7% in 2025, the need for community support has never been greater.
Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) “At YVR we understand the critical importance of access to healthcare in building strong, resilient communities, and in a province as geographically large and diverse as British Columbia, the aviation sector plays a key role in connecting those communities with the medical care that people need. We are proud of YVR’s 14-year partnership with Hope Air and their incredible work helping ensure patients and their families from around the province have access to healthcare regardless of where they live. My sincere thanks to those participating in this year’s event for demonstrating the spirit of our aviation community and to everyone who donated to this very worthwhile cause.”
“Haul for Hope Vancouver is not just a show of strength—it’s a lifeline for Canadians who would otherwise face impossible choices about their health,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air. “For patients in rural and remote communities, YVR is far more than an airport—it’s the gateway to life-saving care in Vancouver and beyond. With the steadfast support of YVR, WestJet, and our community partners, we are breaking down the barriers of distance and cost to ensure that every Canadian has a fair chance at health, no matter where they live.”
Last year’s event at YVR saw teams from across the airport community, local businesses, and civic organizations come together in a show of solidarity. This year, even more teams are expected to join, raising critical funds so patients in financial need can access the treatment they deserve.
WestJet, a long-time partner of Hope Air, returns as Presenting Sponsor for Western Canada, with Haul for Hope events scheduled in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Vancouver. WestJet’s support ensures thousands of patients across the country can travel to life-saving medical appointments they would otherwise be unable to access.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Location: Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Signature Aviation
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Photo Opportunity: Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air; Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO of YVR, and attending Hope Air patient.
For more information or to register your team, visit hopeair.ca/haul
Hope Air would like to thank all sponsors, hosts and partners including:
Hope Air is Canada’s national charity dedicated to providing free flights and accommodations for low-income Canadians, who must travel long distances to access medical specialty care. Hope Air eliminates barriers of distance and cost so that patients in financial need, can travel to access the best available treatment for many life-threatening health conditions. Founded in 1986, Hope Air has facilitated over 235,980 travel arrangements across over 640 communities.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing Communications
Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca
This year’s event builds on the tremendous momentum of the 2024 Haul for Hope event, which brought together dozens of corporate teams and raised vital funds to support Hope Air’s growing patient programs. With record-breaking demand—more than 45,000 travel arrangements were provided in 2024 with 8,615 Hope Air patient flights travelling through YVR, representing 94% of all Hope Air patient travel in British Columbia and 62% nationally. Patient demand is projected to rise another 7% in 2025, the need for community support has never been greater.
Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) “At YVR we understand the critical importance of access to healthcare in building strong, resilient communities, and in a province as geographically large and diverse as British Columbia, the aviation sector plays a key role in connecting those communities with the medical care that people need. We are proud of YVR’s 14-year partnership with Hope Air and their incredible work helping ensure patients and their families from around the province have access to healthcare regardless of where they live. My sincere thanks to those participating in this year’s event for demonstrating the spirit of our aviation community and to everyone who donated to this very worthwhile cause.”
“Haul for Hope Vancouver is not just a show of strength—it’s a lifeline for Canadians who would otherwise face impossible choices about their health,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air. “For patients in rural and remote communities, YVR is far more than an airport—it’s the gateway to life-saving care in Vancouver and beyond. With the steadfast support of YVR, WestJet, and our community partners, we are breaking down the barriers of distance and cost to ensure that every Canadian has a fair chance at health, no matter where they live.”
Last year’s event at YVR saw teams from across the airport community, local businesses, and civic organizations come together in a show of solidarity. This year, even more teams are expected to join, raising critical funds so patients in financial need can access the treatment they deserve.
WestJet, a long-time partner of Hope Air, returns as Presenting Sponsor for Western Canada, with Haul for Hope events scheduled in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Vancouver. WestJet’s support ensures thousands of patients across the country can travel to life-saving medical appointments they would otherwise be unable to access.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Location: Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Signature Aviation
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Photo Opportunity: Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air; Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO of YVR, and attending Hope Air patient.
For more information or to register your team, visit hopeair.ca/haul
Hope Air would like to thank all sponsors, hosts and partners including:
- WestJet as presenting partner in Western Canada.
- Porter as presenting partner in Eastern Canada.
- YVR and Keyera as site presenting sponsors.
- Uber Canada and Pratt & Whitney as Gold Sponsors.
- De Havilland, Plusgrade, PortsToronto, Infinite Investment Systems, Nieuport Aviation, YYC as Silver Sponsors.
- Rogers as Bronze Sponsor.
- Hosted by St. John’s International Airport Authority in St. John’s on September 12.
- Hosted by Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Toronto on September 13.
- YVR as host and site presenting sponsor in Vancouver, hosted at Signature Aviation on September 16.
- Hosted by the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna on September 18.
- Keyera, Site Presenting Sponsor at YEG in Edmonton on September 22.
- Hosted by YYC and Signature Aviation in Calgary on September 24.
Hope Air is Canada’s national charity dedicated to providing free flights and accommodations for low-income Canadians, who must travel long distances to access medical specialty care. Hope Air eliminates barriers of distance and cost so that patients in financial need, can travel to access the best available treatment for many life-threatening health conditions. Founded in 1986, Hope Air has facilitated over 235,980 travel arrangements across over 640 communities.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing Communications
Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca