In the face of escalating wildfire incidents worldwide, Conair Group Inc. (Conair) has taken a further step to enhance aerial firefighting capabilities by acquiring seven Dash 8-400 aircraft for role modification into specialized airtankers.
As the leading operator of fixed-wing firefighting aircraft globally, Conair’s strategic move underscores the importance of modernizing aerial firefighting resources to effectively combat the growing threat of wildfires.
Meeting the Challenge of Severe Wildfires
With countries grappling with increasingly severe wildfire behavior, the demand for robust aerial firefighting resources has never been higher. Limited availability of modern and efficient large airtankers has posed a significant challenge in combating wildfires effectively.
Conair’s acquisition of seven Dash 8-400 aircraft is a proactive response to this challenge, aimed at bolstering the firefighting capacity of nations and safeguarding citizens and natural resources from the ravages of wildfires.
Matt Bradley, President and CEO of Conair, envisions a future where countries can readily adapt to the changing wildfire landscape. He emphasizes the pressing need for modernization, stating:
“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.”
Revitalizing the Fleet
In 2021, Conair made a significant stride by acquiring eleven Dash 8-400 aircraft to replace its aging fleet of airtankers. This initiative not only addressed fleet modernization but also catered to expanding markets.
In 2023, the company has committed four Dash 8-400 airtankers to British Columbia, two to Alaska, one to Australia, and one to France. Aero-Flite Inc., Conair’s US-based subsidiary, has signed contracts for two airtankers in Washington State.
This concerted effort will culminate in the transformation of all aircraft from the 2021 purchase into fully operational airtankers by the close of 2023.
Building Capacity for Future Fire Seasons
Conair’s recent purchase of seven additional Dash 8-400 aircraft earmarked for conversion holds the promise of enhancing countries’ wildfire response capacity. Jeff Berry, Vice President of Business Development, emphasizes the proactive nature of this endeavor:
“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.”
A Comprehensive Approach
The conversion process of these aircraft over the next two years will see Conair collaborating closely with governments owning and operating their fleet of airtankers. Long-term operational contracts through Conair or Aero-Flite will further extend the reach of these resources.
Remarkably, Conair’s production capabilities are exemplified by the creation of a new airtanker every 75 days at their facility in Canada, with the flexibility to scale up as needed.
The Dash 8-400 aircraft, sourced from Kirk Aviation through Aergo Capital Asset Management in 2023, will be transported from their original base in Europe to Canada.
These aircraft will be housed in Mississauga before undergoing the conversion process in Abbotsford, British Columbia, at Conair’s specialized facility. This transformation will see the first Dash 8-400 aircraft transition into an airtanker this upcoming winter.
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