Conair Group Inc.’s firefighting fleet is set to increase.
The Abbotsford-based company announced on Wednesday (Aug. 9) that they have purchased seven Dash 8-400 aircraft for conversion to airtankers, engineered specifically for aerial firefighting.
This follows the purchase of 11 Dash 8-400s for conversion in 2021. Conair has on contract four Dash 8-400 airtankers in British Columbia, two in Alaska, one in Australia and one in France.
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Aero-Flite Inc., Conair’s US-based subsidiary company, has on contract two in Washington state. By the end of 2023, all aircraft from the initial 2021 purchase will be operating as airtankers, supporting government agencies on three continents.
“Countries are facing escalating wildfire behaviour. And many are challenged by limited aerial firefighting resources or aging fleets in need of modernization to ensure the firetruck in the sky is ready to dispatch when the call comes,” stated Matt Bradley, president and CEO of Conair. “Supply of modern, large airtankers is limited. Our purchase gives us the ability to support countries as they adapt to the changing wildfire environment, continuing to protect their citizens and resources using air assets.”
Conair will convert these seven aircrafts over the next two years, with one set to be completed about every 75 days from their facility in Abbotsford.
They are being brought over to Canada and stored in Mississauga, Ont. until being converted in Abbotsford. The first will be converted into an airtanker this winter.