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🇧🇪 Belgium /Elections & Politics

Limburg Governor: Firefighting Planes Remain Deployable in Province Despite Relocation

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Firefighting aircraft will remain deployable in Belgium, even after Aquarius Aerial Firefighting moves its planes from Zwartberg airport in Genk to new facilities, possibly in Vienna.
  • The relocation is a purely business decision by Aquarius, and Governor Jos Lantmeeters assured that operational readiness will not be affected.
  • A key focus is identifying suitable water sources for the aircraft, with potential locations including the Schulensmeer and the Scheldt river, while addressing regulatory hurdles for training exercises.

Firefighting aircraft will continue to be available for deployment in Belgium, despite the company Aquarius Aerial Firefighting moving its planes from Zwartberg airport in Genk. Governor of Limburg Jos Lantmeeters held discussions with the company and reassured that the relocation would not impact the aircraft's operational readiness for combating forest fires.

The aircraft remain available for deployment in problem cases, during disasters, and so on, within the province.

— Jos LantmeetersGovernor of Limburg Jos Lantmeeters reassured that the deployment of firefighting aircraft in Belgium would not be affected by the company's decision to move its planes from Zwartberg airport in Genk.

The decision to move the aircraft, which were housed in a hangar at Zwartberg for the past two winters, is described by Governor Lantmeeters as a purely business-driven choice. Aquarius is centralizing its maintenance and storage activities elsewhere, with potential new locations including Vienna. Lantmeeters emphasized that the planes are already operationally deployed from remote locations, citing their current use in Turkey while being stored in Zwartberg during winter.

A significant point of discussion was the sourcing of water for the firefighting planes. The governor distinguished between strict regulations for water collection during training exercises and the broader authority he possesses during actual emergencies to designate water sources. To facilitate training, Lantmeeters plans to compile an inventory of potential water collection sites, such as the Schulensmeer in Lummen and the Scheldt river, and share it with relevant federal and Flemish ministers.

There is actually no difference in terms of rationality.

— Jos LantmeetersGovernor of Limburg Jos Lantmeeters explained that the relocation of firefighting aircraft would not impact their operational readiness, as they are already deployed remotely.

Governor Lantmeeters also refuted claims that local mayors are opposing the presence of the firefighting aircraft. He stated that the company's management confirmed no issues have arisen. While acknowledging the complexity of the permitting process, he attributed it to regulations not being fully adapted to the needs of firefighting aircraft, unlike in Southern European countries where such fires are more frequent and regulations are more flexible. He also noted that Aquarius Aerial Firefighting is not the sole private provider, and the government has multiple partners for aerial firefighting.

The company leader also confirmed today that there are no problems anywhere.

— Jos LantmeetersGovernor of Limburg Jos Lantmeeters addressed reports of opposition from mayors regarding the arrival of firefighting aircraft, stating the company had confirmed no issues.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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