Avincis Leases Super Scoopers to Combat Portugal's Wildfires
The lease gives Bridger Aerospace its first revenue-generating European work as the aircraft can scoop 5,436 liters of water in 12 seconds.
- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Avincis signed a lease contract with Bridger Aerospace for two Canadair CL-215T aircraft to combat ongoing wildfire threats in Portugal.
- With around 50 municipalities at maximum risk, Avincis describes the current period as the "most demanding starts to a wildfire season in recent years."
- These two aircraft are capable of scooping 5,436 liters of water in 12 seconds, enabling rapid response to emerging wildfire threats across Portugal.
- Sam Davis, President and CEO of Bridger Aerospace, stated the deployment marks the firm's first revenue-generating activity in Europe, noting the model works in Montana and Portugal.
- John Boag, Group CEO of Avincis, noted the agreement reflects a "growing need to strengthen Europe's long-term aerial firefighting capability" as wildfires become increasingly unpredictable across Southern Europe.
16 Articles
16 Articles
"Scooper" aircraft helping fight Claremont Fire
Friday marks the third consecutive day that specialized planes known as scoopers will be helping put out the Claremont Fire.These fixed-wing aircraft have an accurate nickname; theyve been scooping water from the surface of Lucky Peak Reservoir to release over the fire.Fire officials say scoopers are highly efficient because they refill on the fly rather than having to land, so they have faster turnaround times.Approximately 177,000 gallons of w…
Avincis leases Super Scoopers to combat Portugal's wildfires
Europe’s largest emergency aerial service operator Avincis has signed a new lease, bringing in extra Super Scoopers to combat wildfires in Portugal. On July 23, 2026, Avincis said US aerial firefighting firm Bridger Aerospace will provide two Canadair CL-215T aircraft, or Super Scoopers, as part of the lease contract signed between the two. The two aircraft are both capable of scooping up 5,436 liters of water in 12 seconds from a water source a…
The A400M, which recharges on the ground in contrast to Canadair, can also be used to bomb a chemical that can slow the spread of a fire, preventing an area from burning and thus limit the fire.
For his part, Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport assures that the plane "is being equipped".
Thanks to "technical adaptation work" on the Airbus A400M, in service since 2013, "a specific system" has been "developed" to drop "the equivalent of three Canadair water bombers in volume," the spokesperson explained on BFMTV-RMC. The aircraft is still "being equipped, and the crews are still being trained," she added, but "it will be operational within a few days." "The necessary resources, at least the technical ones, have been put in place.…
The A400M was modified to drop "the equivalent of three Canadairs in water volume," according to the government spokesman Maud Bregeon L-Military Transport Aircraft Airbus A400M, "
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
