The Rising Demand for AT-802F & Fire Boss Firefighting Aircraft in Europe – Aerial Fire

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Air Tractor AT-802A agricultural aircraft in flight, featuring floatation gear for water operations, with a backdrop of dense forest. Ideal for aerial application and crop management.
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    View the full article from ‘Aerial Firefighting Magazine’

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    As Europe’s wildfire seasons grow longer, hotter, and more destructive, one aircraft has become the backbone of the continent’s aerial firefighting response: the Air Tractor AT-802F. From Portugal to Greece, Spain, and even Scandinavia, this rugged, purpose-built single-engine tanker has proven to be the one firefighting aircraft that can be deployed quickly, operated affordably, and trusted to perform day after day from short, rough airstrips.

    Demand for the AT-802F surged after Portugal’s devastating 2017 fires, when the European Union began investing heavily in modern firefighting fleets. With Russian aircraft no longer available, aging water bombers grounded, and delays in larger tankers like the DHC-515, the AT-802F has filled the gap. Its mix of low acquisition and operating costs, amphibious versatility, and reliability allows operators to make six or more drops per hour—delivering over 800 gallons of water at 125 mph in even the toughest terrain.

    “The key factors are known,” said Hugo Arceo, Sales Representative at Air Tractor Europe. “It’s affordable, easy to operate, and backed by a global support network that solves everything with one phone call.” That support system—spare parts, training, and rapid logistics—has allowed smaller EU nations to build effective firefighting capabilities almost overnight, often with EU funding that lowers the cost barrier. The result is a growing web of collaboration across borders, where nations share resources and respond together to mounting wildfire threats.

    Behind each aircraft stands a dedicated network of pilots, mechanics, and engineers trained to keep Europe’s firefighting fleet ready at a moment’s notice. From its simplicity to its global support, the AT-802F embodies what modern aerial firefighting now demands: fast response, low cost, and uncompromising reliability. As Arceo puts it, “We don’t make miracles—we leave that to others. We only do our best, always. One phone call, and the machine rolls.”