Conair’s Dash 8-400 airtanker departs to support firefighters in France for the fire season ABBOTSFORD, CANADA (July 20, 2023) – For the first time, a Dash 8-400 airtanker departed Canada for Europe to support Sécurité Civile in France on an operational contract for the summer, assisting firefighters in the country. Negotiations for the agreement began in January 2023 with Conair Group Inc. as France prepared for their summer firefighting operations in response to the devastating fire season in 2022 when more than 65,000 hectares burned.
“France has been exemplary in their proactive response to the consequences of last year’s wildfires that ravaged parts of the country” shared Matt Bradley, President and CEO of Conair Group Inc. “France anticipated similar wildfire challenges in future years and acted quickly, enhancing their fleet and strengthening their air resources. This spring, France accepted the 8th multi-role Dash 8-400MRE airtanker into their own fleet, built by Conair, plus contracted a Dash 8-400AT airtanker from Conair’s fleet, reinforcing their capability. We are proud to support France, continuing to grow our 40-year partnership.”
“Conair has been manufacturing the Dash 8-400 airtanker in British Columbia since 2005. The airtanker is made as either a multi role MRE or an airtanker-only variant, the AT,” adds Jeff Berry, Vice President of Business Development. “It is a modern large airtanker, fully certified by Transport Canada to the most stringent aerial firefighting regulations in the world, supporting safe operations. It is as fast as a jet to wildfires, operates exceedingly well in varied terrain, and takes off from shorter runways located closer to where fires occur, using mobile tanker bases.”
The Dash 8-400 airtanker is currently being manufactured in Abbotsford by Conair, the only company in the world manufacturing a Transport Canada certified large airtanker every 75 days, with the ability to expand based on demand. Conair’s Dash 8-400 airtanker fleets are contracted for operations in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Australia, in addition to France. Over 16 Dash 8-400 airtankers are operating around the world, with 5 delivered in the last year. Three more are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023.
“As soon as an airtanker is completed, it goes into operation for a wildfire management agency around the world. We are currently filling manufacturing slots into 2024,” continues Berry. “Demand is growing globally. Every country is experiencing the same challenge, more frequent catastrophic wildfire seasons combined with strained air resources.”
Conair has been providing France with airtankers since the 1980s. The country has since built a strong national fleet including 12 Canadair waterbombers and 8 Dash 8-400 multi role airtankers, using both retardant and water to attack fires, with retardant slowing flames and water cooling flames. The Dash 8-400 airtanker works in concert with waterbombers by delivering long retardant lines around the perimeter of a fire to reduce its spread, offering firefighters support to help keep wildfires small. The multi role Dash 8-400MRE airtankers are versatile, with the ability to respond to a variety of national crises, converting quickly between airtanker, passenger, cargo and medevac roles.
Support between Canada and France is reciprocal. As Canada is sending an airtanker to support the French fleet this summer, France, at the request of the Canadian government, sent more than 100 firefighters and emergency response personnel to Quebec to assist with wildfires challenging the province in June.
About Conair Group Inc.
Headquartered in Canada, Conair is a world leader in aerial firefighting aircraft operations, maintenance, and manufacturing. With over 70 aircraft, Conair maintains and operates the largest, privately-owned, fixed wing fleet of firefighting aircraft in the world. The organization supports wildfire agencies in Canada, Australia, the USA, and Europe with a diverse fleet of amphibious and land-based airtankers, in addition to lead plane Bird Dogs. Conair has been manufacturing aircraft into airtankers for over 50 years, converting over 15 aircraft types into aerial firefighters, modifying over 175 individual aircraft. Today, Conair is manufacturing the Dash 8-400 airtanker, a modern aerial firefighter offering fast, effective and efficient firefighting capability with a 10,000 litre / 2,640 US gallon tank. Conair provides aircraft for purchase or hire, offering specialized services including aeronautical engineering design, flight operations and aircraft maintenance related to aerial firefighting missions. Learn out more at www.conair.ca
