Our T&Cs

All cancellations must be in writing.

We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.

In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.

Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.

Additional Tour Operator's T&Cs

Vlasoff Sand Cay Landing Facts - Read this essential information about your booking

• A landing at Vlasoff Sand Cay is not always possible.
• It is a public area and we can only land when it is unoccupied and when the tides permit a safe landing.If we can't land, we'll fly-on to discover the beauty of the Outer Reef.
• With bubbles in hand, this extended custom tour ticks all the boxes.
• Intricate reef details becomevast panoramas as we climb to 3,000 feet, with everything captures on your free in-flights video.
• Your pilot will discuss this and other options before your flight lifts.

Key to successful landings:

• Phone and email contacts: please ensure we have an email address you check regularly - and a mobile phone number so that we can contact you quickly if the nedd arises.
• Flexibility: we sometimes need to move bookings very slightly - usually only by 30-60 minutes. Very occasionally we might recommend a date change. in either case we will contact you first.
• School/Public holidays: holidays are a busy time all round. Our landing success rate dips during these times as the Cay is more likely to be occupied.
• Weekends: whilst we regularly land on weekends, there is a greater risk of Cairns locals being on the Cay during this time - particularly when the sea is very calm.
• High tides: we cannot land during very high tides. We will call you to discuss alternative times if your booking happens to coincide with a high tide.
• Wet season: very occasionally we may need to reduce the time spent on the Sand Cay due to weather conditions that can change quickly.

All passengers travelling with Zoom Helicopters accept the terms and conditions detailed below.

Operating Hours

7 days per week

• Office 08:00am to 6:00pm
• After Hours 07:00am to 9:00 pm

Prices

• Fares are listed per person, in Australian dollars (AUD) and are inclusive of GST.

EMC

• EMC is the Environment Management Charge levied by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to fund its care and upkeep.
• EMC charges apply to all adults and children, four years and over, when entering the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
• All published prices include EMC charges.

Fuel Surcharge

• With global oil price fluctuations, a fuel surcharge may be applied to any advertised ticket price. Where applicable, any surcharge will be payable at checkin.
• Fuel surcharges are not currently being applied.

Safety

• Safety is our overarching priority - without exception.
• The pilot in command’s decision is final regarding the carriage of luggage, seat allocation and commencement continuation or termination of any flight during periods of inclement weather.
• Passengers will receive a safety briefing prior to departure.
• When flying over water, all passengers are required to wear a life jacket for the duration of the flight.
• Smoking is strictly forbidden in or around helicopters.

Booking Conditions

• All flights are confirmed subject to availability, weather and booking minimums (passenger numbers).
• Single passenger bookings are welcomed; however, all listed tours require a minimum of two (2) passengers.
• In accordance with CASA regulations, all passengers are required to provide full name, accurate weight and baggage details prior to their flight.
• Seat allocation for flights is determined at the discretion of pilot / ground crew based on aircraft weight and balance to ensure the safety of all passengers.
• Reservations are only confirmed when passenger weights have been advised and full payment is made – unless credit facilities have been agreed in advance.

Flight Cancellation By Zoom Helicopters

• Tour(s) and aircraft substitution(s) are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion in consideration of weather, air traffic control and availability.
• The pilot’s decision regarding the continuation of any flight is final.
• He/she may terminate the flight at any time he/she deems it unsafe to proceed and may refuse carriage of a passenger(s) if they are deemed unfit for flight.
• In the event of inclement weather causing a flight to be cancelled, an alternate time / date will be offered. If alternative time / date cannot be agreed, a full refund will be given.

Flight Cancellation By Customer

• In order to receive a 100% refund - flight cancellations Zoom Helicopters must be notified a minimum of 48 hours in advance of scheduled departure date/time.
• Cancellations notified between 24 and 48 hours in advance of scheduled departure date/time, qualify for a 50% refund.
• If booking is cancelled within 24 hours of scheduled departure date/time – no refund will apply.
• If passengers are ‘no shows’ for a pick-up or flight, a 100% cancellation fee applies. If the flight is booked through a third-party website or agent, the third-party will be contacted and notified of applicable charges.

Flight Cancellation Other

• Zoom Helicopters accepts no responsibility for any additional expenses incurred by passengers arising from delays to any domestic or international flights, tour rescheduling or substitution, inclement weather or unplanned aircraft maintenance.
• Whenever possible, Zoom Helicopters will seek to delay flight/tour departures – provided that doing so does not negatively affect other passengers, tours or connecting flights.
• Where a flight cannot be delayed and results in the requirement for an exclusive charter, this will be subject to availability and incur additional cost.
• Zoom Helicopters recommends that all passengers protect themselves with travel insurance to mitigate unforeseen events and costs.

Check-In

• Zoom Helicopters requires passengers to arrive no less than 20 minutes prior to planned departure time.
• At check-in, passengers will be given a mandatory safety briefing

Passenger Weights

• Helicopters are subject to strict weight limitations, specific to each aircraft type.
• Accurate individual passenger body and carry-on luggage weights MUST be advised at the point of booking.
• It is a legal requirement that all passengers and their luggage be weighed at check-in.
• Weight variances greater than 10% of that advised at the time of booking may incur additional charges and/or luggage allowances being reduced. Zoom Helicopters reserves the right to refuse travel and charge a 100% cancellation fee.
• The maximum single seat weight limit/payload for Zoom Helicopters’ fleet of aircraft is 130kgs.

Children and Infants

• Children who have not yet reached their 2nd birthday are classified as infants and may travel free of charge (seated on a parent/guardian’s lap utilising a company provided infant seat belt restraint).
• Children 2 years and above are legally required to be seated in their own seat and are therefore required to pay the full ticket price.
• Children aged 2 years to 13 years must be accompanied by an adult on all flights.
• Only one (1) infant is permitted to travel in an aircraft.
• Please notify us at the time if booking advise if travelling with infants.
• If travelling with more than one infant please contact us to discuss your needs.
• With regard to luggage, prams and seat capsules for infants, please refer ‘Luggage Allowance’.

Pregnant Passengers

• Expectant mothers are welcome to fly with us at their own discretion.
• Zoom Helicopters advises passengers to refer to their Doctor prior to confirming a booking with the consideration that seatbelts must be worn at all times during any flight.

Special Assistance

• At the time of booking, please advise us if you are travelling with passengers that require special assistance as additional seating regulations apply.
• Due to Workplace Health and Safety requirements, our staff are not able to lift passengers.

Luggage Allowance

Resort Transfers / Private Charters

• Helicopters offer limited capacity for the carriage of luggage. Accurate individual passenger body and carry-on luggage weights MUST be advised at the point of booking.
• Permissions to carry additional luggage for infants is subject to the combined weight (passengers / luggage) being within aircraft operational limits on the day of travel.
• Full size prams cannot be accommodated, and capsules/child seats cannot be fitted in the helicopter.
• Due to the dimensions of helicopter cargo compartments, luggage is required to be carried in a single carry-on size case or soft bag per person.
• You are welcome to store excess baggage at the Zoom Helicopters office.

Flight Paths and Schedules

• Zoom Helicopters endeavours to always conduct flights as described on our website or in other promotional collateral.
• At pilot discretion, due to weather, Air Traffic Control instructions or other operational considerations beyond our control, flight paths and times may vary. This may affect exact arrival and departure times.
• Please refer to “Conditions of Carriage”.

Passenger Refusal

• In accordance with CASA regulations, Zoom Helicopters reserves the right to refuse to carry any passenger who, in the opinion of the pilot in command, may constitute a hazard to the safety of the flight and or the safety and comfort of other passengers.
• Refusal may occur for reasons including (but not limited to); erratic, offensive or threatening behaviour, perceived intoxication and/or a perceived risk to the safety of the flight.
• Zoom Helicopters will support the decision of any pilots and staff that elect to refuse a passenger carriage on company aircraft.
• In the event a passenger is refused, no refund will apply.

Vehicle Transfers

• Vehicle transfers are not provided.

Sand Cay Use

• All helicopter operators are governed by Marine Park permits and the applicable restrictions.
• Sand Cay landings are only permitted when the Sand Cay is unoccupied and subject to weather and tides.
• In the event that a landing on the sand cay is not possible, the flight will be extended by 15 minutes. No refund shall apply.
• The Sand Cay Landing Factsheet must be provided to customers at the time they make a booking.

Partner Tour Operators

• For specific product information and terms and conditions relating to partner tour operators, please visit their respective websites or contact them directly.

Insurance

• Zoom Helicopters carries insurance for all operations including; Carrier’s Liability insurance, as required by Australian Aviation Law and Public Liability Insurance cover to A$20,000,000.

Conditions of Carriage

• While the best of care is taken at all times, Zoom Helicopters accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage to personal belongings, luggage or personal injury due to events beyond our control and will not be liable for any additional expense or inconvenience arising from, or incidental to, any delays in service.
• Zoom Helicopters works in conjunction with other tour operators and is not liable for other operators’ acts or omissions, whether negligent or otherwise. Travel and admissions will be subject to the conditions imposed by these operators, which may limit or exclude liability for personal injury or property damage.
• For terms and conditions of any partnered tour operators, please refer to their respective websites.