Aerial Firefighting Operations Update

Aquarius Aerial Firefighting (AFF), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cargolux, is a private aerial firefighting operator providing wildfire suppression services to government authorities, civil protection agencies, and other entities responsible for managing wildfire emergencies. Aquarius currently operates 10 Air Tractor AT-802 Fire Boss aircraft. The aircraft are used for initial attack on wildfires as well as sustained fire suppression during large fires. The airplanes usually operate in formations of 2 to 6 units. The Fire Boss enables a fast response, with aircraft able to be airborne within minutes of activation. The scooping system of the amphibious airplane allows the tank to be refilled from suitable water sources in 15 seconds. Five of Aquarius’ airplanes have a two-seat configuration, which allows for the carriage of translators, observers, or liaison personnel, facilitating operational flexibility in different international environments.

Aircraft are mobilized either through seasonal contracts awarded via public procurement processes or in response to ad hoc requests from competent authorities when additional aerial firefighting capacity is required. Under a contract covering the 2025 to 2027 fire seasons, eight Aquarius aircraft are deployed in Türkiye, where they are stationed across four operational bases: Balıkesir, Çanakkale, Edremit, and Adana. An additional aircraft has been placed on standby at Aquarius’ base in Balıkesir.

In the spirit of inter-country solidarity, two of Aquarius’ aircraft were temporarily dispatched from Türkiye to France, at the initiative of the Turkish authorities. The Luxembourgish government also supports the wildfire suppression efforts in the Gironde region by sending an additional Aquarius firefighting aircraft from Luxembourg.

Aquarius continues to expand its capabilities and capacity. It expects to operate a fleet of 12 AT-802 Fire Boss aircraft by 2027. As a dedicated operator, Aquarius remains available to support wildfire response efforts whenever our capabilities are requested and aircraft availability permits. Should we receive a request for assistance from the competent authorities, we will do our utmost to contribute to the fight against the devastating wildfires currently affecting several regions in Europe.