Conair Group Inc. (Conair), operating the largest fixed-wing fleet of firefighting aircraft in the world, is pleased to announce the purchase of seven Dash 8-400 aircraft for conversion to airtankers, engineered specifically for aerial firefighting.
“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,” shares 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.”
Eleven Dash 8-400 aircraft were purchased by Conair in 2021 to replace the company’s aging fleet of airtankers, in addition to growing the fleet for new markets. In 2023 Conair has on contract four Dash 8-400 airtankers in British Columbia, two in Alaska, one in Australia and one in France. Aero-Flite Inc., Conair’s US-based subsidiary, 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.
“The purchase of seven additional aircraft for conversion offers countries an answer to the question of how to fight future wildfires. They can proactively build their response capacity for upcoming fire
seasons by contracting the most modern airtanker available in the world today. Conair will convert these aircraft over the next two years, selling the airtankers direct to governments who own and operate their own fleet, or by providing long-term operational contracts through either Conair or AeroFlite” shares Jeff Berry, Vice President of Business Development. “We are producing a new airtanker every 75 days from our facility in Canada, with the ability to expand.”
The Dash 8-400 aircraft were purchased in 2023 from Kirk Aviation through Aergo Capital Asset Management. Originally based in Europe, they are being brought over to Canada and stored in Mississauga until being converted in Abbotsford, British Columbia, at Conair. The first will be converted into an airtanker this winter.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Conair Group
