<\/a>A helicopter with Santa Claus on board makes its way toward Juneau International Airport. (Clarise Larson \/ Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
For the first time since 2018, Coastal Helicopters in collaboration with the Flying Lions Club on Friday hosted Christmas Light Flights at the Juneau International Airport. Weather, then the COVID-19 pandemic led to a few years of cancellations. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>Clarise Larson \/ Juneau Empire \n Santa hugs Malachi Husemann,5, during Christmas Light Flights at Juneau International Airport.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The event invites community members to buy tickets to fly in a helicopter over twinkling night lights of Juneau, and this year the proceeds from the ticket funds go toward both the club and the Children’s Tumor Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t According to Lions Club President Shari Khalsa, the tickets sold out even before the night began, with 350 people signed up. He said they hope to raise around $7,000 during the event to donate to the charity.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “I though it was an amazing way to see the lights, I didn’t see any reindeer but I saw the mighty Mendehall,” said Santa, laughing after he landed.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t