"The two flights, which were delayed due to hold-ups at transit airports, have landed in Sardinia and will depart for France tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.," Chief Fire Marshal of the Fire Service and General Coordinator for Major Fires, Nikos Logginos, told CNA in response to a question about the location of the aerial firefighting aircraft which the Republic of Cyprus had dispatched to assist the French authorities’ efforts to combat major wildfires.

It should be noted that the two aircraft sent by Cyprus in response to a request from Paris submitted through the European Civil Protection Mechanism to assist in extinguishing the fires ravaging the country, departed for France at 6:30 a.m. on Monday. The aircraft in question are two Air Tractor-type firefighting aircraft.

Earlier, Mr. Logginos had reported that the two aircraft, Forest 3 and Forest 4, had departed with two pilots, an observer, and a mechanic, bound for Perpignan.

 Regarding the group of eight people who had departed on a private flight, Mr. Logginos told CNA that the group has been in France since Monday afternoon, and tomorrow, upon their arrival, they will meet with Civil Protection and may carry out operations, depending on the prevailing conditions.

It should be noted that the two aircraft are leased to the Republic of Cyprus by the European Union through rescEU and are stationed in Cyprus. Through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, cooperation among member states translates into immediate and practical assistance wherever it is needed.

Source: CNA

*File photo