WestJet Leads the Charge at Haul for Hope Calgary to Support Patients in Need of Vital Medical Care
Calgary, AB – September 17, 2025 – For many Canadians, the journey to life-saving medical care is not just about kilometres travelled—it’s about the weight of financial strain, long hours on the road, and missed appointments. On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Hope Air will host its annual Haul for Hope Calgary at YYC Calgary International Airport, rallying corporate teams, aviation partners, and community supporters to raise critical funds that ensure no Canadian is left behind when it comes to accessing vital healthcare.
The event challenges teams of up to 15 people to haul a 67,000-pound aircraft across the tarmac—a powerful symbol of the obstacles faced by patients who must travel long distances for treatment, and the strength that comes from pulling together as a community.
As Calgary’s hometown airline and the Presenting Sponsor of Haul for Hope across Western Canada, WestJet has been instrumental in driving the success of this national initiative. Since 2007, WestJet has donated more than 24,000 flights to Hope Air patients in financial need
Last year alone, WestJet’s contribution accounted for nearly half of all Hope Air flights delivered, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the charity’s impact.
“WestJet is proud to further cement our partnership with Hope Air as the Presenting Sponsor for Haul for Hope across Western Canada, including here in Calgary, our home base,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet. “Access to healthcare should never depend on where you live. Together with Hope Air, we’re ensuring Canadians can focus on getting well, not on how they’ll get there.”
YYC Calgary International Airport is once again hosting the Calgary edition of Haul for Hope, underscoring the airport’s role as a vital connector for patients traveling to access care.
“YYC is proud to host Haul for Hope alongside our partners WestJet and Hope Air,” said Chris Dinsdale, President & CEO of Calgary Airports. “This event underscores the first-hand role we play in connecting patients with the care they urgently need, and reflects our commitment to community, compassion, and ensuring every Albertan can reach essential healthcare.”
Now in its third year, Haul for Hope has expanded into a national movement, with six events across Canada in 2025. The charity facilitated a record 45,000 travel arrangements in 2024, and patient demand is projected to rise another 7% this year.
“Haul for Hope is about more than strength—it’s about standing together so that distance and dollars never determine a patient’s chance at care,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air. “With WestJet’s leadership, this event has become a powerful platform to fuel our mission and ensure patients across Alberta and Canada can access the care they need.”
Event Details:
• Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
• Location: Calgary International Airport (YYC), Signature Aviation Hangar
Agenda:
• 9:00 AM – Registration & Breakfast
• 10:00 AM – Speaking Remarks
• 10:30 AM – Plane Pull Begins
• 2:30 PM – Closing Remarks & Awards
Speakers include: Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet; Chris Dinsdale, President & CEO of YYC; Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air; and Hope Air patient ambassador Sara, sharing her personal journey.
To learn more, 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, YEG, YYC, Signature Aviation, Infinite Investment Systems, Nieuport Aviation 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.
About Hope Air Hope Air is Canada’s national charity providing free flights, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation to patients in financial need who must travel long distances for vital medical care. Since 1986, Hope Air has provided over 235,000 travel arrangements across 640 communities.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing Communications, Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca
The event challenges teams of up to 15 people to haul a 67,000-pound aircraft across the tarmac—a powerful symbol of the obstacles faced by patients who must travel long distances for treatment, and the strength that comes from pulling together as a community.
As Calgary’s hometown airline and the Presenting Sponsor of Haul for Hope across Western Canada, WestJet has been instrumental in driving the success of this national initiative. Since 2007, WestJet has donated more than 24,000 flights to Hope Air patients in financial need
Last year alone, WestJet’s contribution accounted for nearly half of all Hope Air flights delivered, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the charity’s impact.
“WestJet is proud to further cement our partnership with Hope Air as the Presenting Sponsor for Haul for Hope across Western Canada, including here in Calgary, our home base,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet. “Access to healthcare should never depend on where you live. Together with Hope Air, we’re ensuring Canadians can focus on getting well, not on how they’ll get there.”
YYC Calgary International Airport is once again hosting the Calgary edition of Haul for Hope, underscoring the airport’s role as a vital connector for patients traveling to access care.
“YYC is proud to host Haul for Hope alongside our partners WestJet and Hope Air,” said Chris Dinsdale, President & CEO of Calgary Airports. “This event underscores the first-hand role we play in connecting patients with the care they urgently need, and reflects our commitment to community, compassion, and ensuring every Albertan can reach essential healthcare.”
Now in its third year, Haul for Hope has expanded into a national movement, with six events across Canada in 2025. The charity facilitated a record 45,000 travel arrangements in 2024, and patient demand is projected to rise another 7% this year.
“Haul for Hope is about more than strength—it’s about standing together so that distance and dollars never determine a patient’s chance at care,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air. “With WestJet’s leadership, this event has become a powerful platform to fuel our mission and ensure patients across Alberta and Canada can access the care they need.”
Event Details:
• Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
• Location: Calgary International Airport (YYC), Signature Aviation Hangar
Agenda:
• 9:00 AM – Registration & Breakfast
• 10:00 AM – Speaking Remarks
• 10:30 AM – Plane Pull Begins
• 2:30 PM – Closing Remarks & Awards
Speakers include: Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet; Chris Dinsdale, President & CEO of YYC; Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air; and Hope Air patient ambassador Sara, sharing her personal journey.
To learn more, 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, YEG, YYC, Signature Aviation, Infinite Investment Systems, Nieuport Aviation 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.
About Hope Air Hope Air is Canada’s national charity providing free flights, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation to patients in financial need who must travel long distances for vital medical care. Since 1986, Hope Air has provided over 235,000 travel arrangements across 640 communities.
Media Contact:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing Communications, Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca