Cargolux presented their newest project on Friday: With the help of 12 fire-fighting aircraft, the aim is to help control forest fires, which are increasing every year in Europe, as quickly as possible and thus also reduce CO2 emissions.
Richard Forson, CEO of Cargolux, explains that "the planes can potentially fly for up to three hours between refuelling. This means that the aircraft takes off, refuels with water and then flies to its destination to release the water. The aircraft then flies over an area of water, be it a lake, river or sea, to fill up to the necessary quantity. A maximum of 3,000 litres can be filled up within 15 seconds before the aircraft is back in the air to extinguish the forest fire."
The aircraft are specifically designed to extinguish forest fires. The entire project will cost Cargolux 72 million euros: this includes the aircraft, the material and the training of the pilots. The CEO sees this as a strategic move, as well as a diversification of Cargolux's normal activities. The aircraft are very efficient and flexible, and are used worldwide.
Forson continues: "Our planes are stationed in the southern hemisphere, say Australia, during their summer season. And during the winter months in Australia, the aircraft are then brought to Europe to fight forest fires here."
Cargolux already has three aircraft, which will enter service for the first time on 1 May, whilst the other aircraft should be ready for operation in 2025. However, some Cargolux pilots have already volunteered to take on training to learn to fly them. Among the early volunteers is Michael Neuhuber, who has worked for Cargolux for 23 years.
"It's a challenge to fly a new aircraft, to set up a new business unit after 53 years at Cargolux. And, of course, with such a mission we can really help people directly and see the impact with our own eyes. Because when we fly medicine to people, for example, we help them too, but we don't notice it as much. Sometimes we don't even know what we're transporting."
For now, the aircraft will be parked in Zweibrücken until it is decided where they can be used for one to three years. Countries such as Greece, Spain, Australia and South America have been mentioned as potential countries.
