Four firefighting planes operated by Aquarius AFF, a subsidiary of Cargolux, will be leaving their base in Zwartberg, Limburg, in Belgium. These privately owned aircraft are leased to various countries to help combat forest fires. The move comes amid ongoing difficulties in securing permission for essential pilot training in Belgium, which has drawn national media attention.
Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken has criticised the current situation, describing it as "unacceptable" that pilots are unable to conduct training manoeuvres on any of the country’s lakes, canals, or rivers. He has asked the Governor of Limburg to find a solution.
Following discussions between the Limburg governor and the Luxembourg-based company, officials are now compiling a list of suitable water bodies where training might be possible, provided they meet certain safety criteria, including a 2km stretch of open water. The governor emphasised that local authorities do not oppose the proposal. However, he also stated that any decision to relocate Aquarius AFF’s operations would ultimately be a business decision for the private company.
Aquarius AFF’s contract in Zwartberg runs until the end of the year, after which all four aircraft will move to Vienna. This was confirmed by Aquarius AFF CEO Wieger Ketellapper in comments to Flemish media. He also noted that Belgium could still lease the planes in future, despite the planned relocation.
The CEO pointed out that during recent wildfires in the High Fens (Hautes Fagnes), the aircraft were already deployed abroad. In fact, the planes never operate in Belgium during the summer, instead spending winter months in a hangar in Genk.
During the High Fens wildfires, Aquarius AFF was in contact with Belgian authorities regarding the possible deployment of an aircraft currently based in Luxembourg. However, a decision was made not to send the plane, as the fire zone was considered too small to require additional resources. Sweden had already sent planes to assist Belgian firefighting efforts.
Wieger Ketellapper further confirmed that local Belgian authorities have been resistant to granting training permissions, largely due to a lack of prior experience with such requests in northern Europe. He argued that simplified procedures are needed so the necessary authorisations for pilot training flights can be issued more easily.
