Avincis (Portugal) and De Havilland Canada Announce Partnership for Support of CL-215, CL-215T, CL-415 and DHC-515 Firefighting Aircraft in Europe and Morocco

On April 2, 2026, Avincis & De Havilland Canada have signed a strategic agreement to jointly support the CL‑215, CL‑215T, CL‑415 and the next‑generation DHC‑515 amphibious waterbomber aircraft used in Europe and Morocco. Under the agreement, Avincis will be named as a key Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) supplier and engineering partner for these aircraft in the designated regions.

The agreement enables De Havilland Canada to utilize Avincis’s engineering and certification expertise to develop supplemental type certificates (STCs), design innovations and address obsolescence issues across this family of amphibious aircraft. It also includes the development of Avincis-led aircraft modifications intended for incorporation into De Havilland Canada’s official aftermarket parts catalogue.

In anticipation of expanded activities, Avincis is designing a new dedicated hangar precinct at its Albacete (Spain) facility to increase capacity for aircraft maintenance and modification work.

Who is Avincis? (Headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal)

Avincis is one of the world’s largest providers of emergency aerial services, including aerial firefighting, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), air ambulance, search and rescue, and other mission-critical aviation support. The company’s global headquarters are in Lisbon, Portugal, and it operates from more than 180 bases across Europe, Africa and South America.

In aerial firefighting specifically, Avincis is widely recognized as a major operator of the amphibious Canadair waterbomber aircraft family. It operates and maintains one of the largest fleets of CL‑415 and CL‑215 aircraft in Europe, including on behalf of government agencies.

Why Avincis matters:

• Headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal with a broad European footprint, often acting as prime contractor for national firefighting contracts.
• Significant fixed-wing firefighting experience, including decades of operations with Canadair CL‑415s and CL‑215 variants.
• MRO and engineering capabilities that complement its operational services.

Who is De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited?

De Havilland Canada is a historic Canadian aerospace manufacturer with a legacy in rugged utility and mission-specific aircraft. The company designs and supports aircraft for a wide range of roles, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and regional transport.

In the firefighting segment, De Havilland Canada is now responsible for the DHC‑515, the modern successor to the iconic CL‑415 series. The DHC‑515 builds on the operational heritage of the CL‑215/CL‑415 family and is intended to deliver enhanced performance and reliability.

Why De Havilland matters:

• Canadian manufacturer with a global customer base and nearly a century-long heritage.
• Produces and supports the amphibious firefighting aircraft family used by many European states and Morocco.
• Works closely with operators worldwide to sustain and evolve waterbomber capability.

Aircraft Models Covered in the Agreement

The partnership explicitly targets support for:
✔ Canadair CL‑215 – the original purpose-built waterbomber.
✔ CL‑215T – a turboprop-upgraded CL‑215.
✔ CL‑415 – an evolutionary turboprop waterbomber widely used in Europe and beyond.
✔ De Havilland Canadair DHC‑515 – the next-generation firefighting aircraft.

These aircraft are central to aerial firefighting missions across Mediterranean and Southern European countries as well as Morocco.

How Many Aircraft Are Involved?

The CL‑215/CL‑415 family remains widely deployed in Europe and Morocco. For example:

• European operators including France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia collectively operate dozens of waterbomber aircraft.
• Morocco operates multiple CL‑215/CL‑415 aircraft as part of its firefighting fleet.

Given Avincis’s operational scope — managing large firefighting fleets for governments — the agreement effectively applies to dozens of operational aircraft across Europe and Morocco, even if not all are owned by Avincis itself.

Analysis: What This Partnership Means

a. Enhanced MRO Support for Operators

This partnership strengthens the sustainment of the amphibious aircraft fleet by ensuring deeper access to MRO services, engineering resources, and design modifications specific to firefighting operations.

EU nations and regional civil protection agencies rely on these aircraft to respond to increasingly severe wildfire seasons — as documented by reports highlighting capacity shortfalls and longer fire periods in Europe.

b. Streamlining Certification and STC Development

By leveraging Avincis’s engineering footprint and De Havilland’s manufacturing base, the industry can accelerate certification of upgrades and reduce delays for operators seeking improved aircraft capability.

c. Strategic Alignment With Operational Needs

Wildfire risk has grown in Mediterranean and North African regions. Strengthening MRO and parts pipelines via this agreement helps ensure aircraft can remain in service longer with fewer delays — crucial for response readiness.

Source: AeroMorning