Abbotsford – Conair of Abbotsford is the the largest fixed- wing fleet of firefighting aircraft in the world. They announced the purchase of seven Dash 8- 400 aircraft for conversion to airtankers, engineered specifically for aerial firefighting.
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 at Conair. The first will be converted into an airtanker this winter.
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 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.
