Europe Faces Shortfall in Aerial Firefighting Amid Rising Wildfires

This article is based on an official press release from Avincis.

Europe is facing a critical shortfall in its aerial firefighting capabilities, leaving the continent dangerously unprepared for increasingly severe wildfire seasons. According to a new report commissioned by Avincis, the largest European emergency aerial services operator, urgent reforms and investments are required to expand the region’s firefighting fleet and pilot workforce.

The findings were presented at the Aerial Fire Fighting Series: Global Conference and Exhibition in Rome, Italy. In a company press release, Avincis noted that the call to action follows a devastating 2025 fire season, during which more than 1.03 million hectares burned across the European Union, the highest figure on record. The release highlighted that 81 percent of this damage was concentrated in just five countries.

Aging Fleets and Bureaucratic Delays

The Avincis report identifies the size and age of Europe’s current aerial firefighting fleet as a primary operational vulnerability. While the industry has welcomed the European Parliament’s 2024 commitment of €600 million to procure 22 DHC-515 amphibious aircraft from De Havilland Canada, experts warn this is not enough. Deliveries for these aircraft are staggered between 2027 and 2030 across six countries, but demand for aerial firefighting capacity is already outpacing supply, particularly during the peak summer months.

To address the shortfall, the report advocates for bulk procurement frameworks that would allow manufacturers to open secondary production lines and speed up delivery timelines. However, regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles remain a significant bottleneck for the aviation industry.

“We’re trying to start a second production line, but government bureaucracies are very slow. That’s not just for our aircraft, but any firefighting asset.”

A Deepening Shortage of Pilots

Beyond the lack of available aircraft, the European firefighting sector is grappling with a severe shortage of qualified personnel. According to the Avincis press release, foreign pilots seeking to work within the European Union face up to 12 license conversion examinations under European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. This contrasts sharply with the one or two exams required in the United States or Australia.

Furthermore, rising defense budgets across Europe are drawing experienced aviation professionals into military aircraft careers. At the same time, a generation of seasoned firefighting pilots is nearing retirement, and there are not enough new recruits entering the pipeline to replace them. The report estimates that closing this workforce gap will take at least a decade, necessitating immediate action.

“While we’ve got to develop new aircraft, we’ve also got to work out means of getting more people into the industry, and of helping maintain aircraft for longevity. There is a need for not only good, robust aircraft, but robust crews to operate these aircraft.”

Moving Toward Year-Round Preparedness

The current model of public investment in Europe is heavily skewed toward emergency response rather than proactive preparedness. The Avincis report urges governments to transition away from this reactive approach and commit to sustained funding. This funding is essential to expand fleet capacity, streamline pilot training, and enhance cross-border coordination.

“Wildfire seasons are getting longer, global aircraft availability is shrinking, and the traditional model of moving aircraft around the world is no longer reliable. If Europe wants to remain prepared, it must invest now in new aircraft, remove regulatory barriers and build a year-round aerial firefighting capability before the situation deteriorates further.”

AirPro News analysis

We observe that the structural challenges highlighted by Avincis reflect a broader global strain on specialized aviation sectors. The combination of stringent EASA licensing requirements and supply chain bottlenecks creates a perfect storm for European emergency services. As climate patterns shift and wildfire seasons extend beyond traditional summer months, the reliance on seasonal, reactive contracting is proving unsustainable. The push for bulk procurement and streamlined certification could set a precedent for how the European Union handles specialized aviation assets in the future, provided member states can align their regulatory frameworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hectares burned in the EU during the 2025 wildfire season?

According to the Avincis press release, more than 1.03 million hectares burned across the European Union in 2025, setting a new record.

What is the European Parliament doing to address the aircraft shortage?

In 2024, the European Parliament committed €600 million to procure 22 DHC-515 amphibious firefighting aircraft across six countries, with deliveries expected between 2027 and 2030.

Why is there a shortage of aerial firefighting pilots in Europe?

The shortage is driven by a combination of retiring veteran pilots, competition from military aviation due to rising defense budgets, and stringent EASA regulations that require foreign pilots to pass upwards of 12 license conversion exams.

Sources

• Avincis