Conair Group
Conair Group is a Canadian aviation company specializing in aerial firefighting, fire-management support, aircraft modification and aircraft maintenance.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Conair Group Inc. is a privately held Canadian aviation company headquartered at Abbotsford International Airport in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The company specializes in aerial firefighting and broader fire-management support, combining aircraft operations with the conversion, maintenance and modification of aircraft for forest-protection agencies. Its operations are built around two principal classes of aircraft: air-attack aircraft, often called bird dogs, and airtankers, also known as waterbombers. The company emerged from the aerial firefighting and agricultural aviation interests of Skyway Air Services. A consortium led by Les Kerr acquired those interests after Skyway’s owner, Art Seller, experienced a stroke and sought to reduce his workload. The transaction brought Conair a workforce of 35 employees and 19 single-engine aircraft. Skyway itself had developed after the Second World War and had been active in aerial firefighting, agricultural spraying and pest-control aviation. Following the sale, Skyway continued as a flying-school and charter operation, while the new company concentrated on the acquired fire-control and agricultural activities. Conair expanded through acquisitions and diversification. In 1978 it acquired Frontier Helicopters of Watson Lake, Yukon; the rotary-wing operation was later renamed Conair Helicopters in 1999. The company also entered air cargo in 1980 through Swiftair Cargo, which operated two Douglas DC-8 aircraft on cross-Canada routes before entering receivership in 1982. By 1984, Conair was described as operating the world’s largest private fleet of airtankers, with 50 fixed-wing aircraft and 15 helicopters. Its fleet exceeded 90 aircraft by the early 1990s. The corporate name later changed from Conair Aviation Ltd. to Conair Group Inc. A central part of the business is the provision of complete aerial-firefighting packages. A typical group includes a bird-dog aircraft and between one and four airtankers. Bird-dog crews identify suitable drop runs, assess hazards and obstructions, coordinate with ground personnel, direct the tankers and manage the airspace around an incident. The tankers then deliver water or retardant to support wildfire suppression. Conair places aircraft under contract with fire-control agencies in western Canada and the United States, including agencies in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Alaska. Conair also develops and supports specialized aircraft. It became a Canadian dealer for Air Tractor in 1996, including the AT-802F firefighting aircraft and the amphibious AT-802F Fire Boss. Its maintenance and retrofit facilities are located at its Abbotsford base. The company has worked with turboprop regional aircraft, including Dash 8 Q400 airframes converted into firefighting or multi-role configurations. These aircraft can be reconfigured for passenger, cargo or aerial-fire-control work outside the fire season, while the tanker configuration can carry a substantial water load. In January 2021, Conair announced the purchase of 11 Q400 aircraft from the failed British airline Flybe for conversion into Q400AT and Q400MR variants. A former Conair division, Cascade Aerospace, was acquired by Halifax-based IMP Group in 2012. Conair nevertheless continues to operate as an aerial-firefighting and aviation-services company. According to Transport Canada fleet information cited in the reference material, the company’s fleet numbered 74 aircraft in May 2025. Its current or recent tanker types include Air Tractor aircraft, Avro RJ85s, Dash 8 variants and Canadair CL-415 aircraft operated by subsidiary Aero-Flite. The company’s history also includes fatal firefighting accidents in British Columbia in 2010 and Alberta in 2015, illustrating the operational risks of aerial wildfire suppression.
History
Conair Group traces its origins to the postwar aerial-aviation sector in British Columbia. Skyway Air Services, established shortly after the Second World War, pioneered aerial firefighting as well as agricultural and pest-control spraying. When Skyway’s owner, Art Seller, suffered a stroke and wanted to reduce his responsibilities, a five-person consortium led by Les Kerr acquired Skyway’s fire-control and aerial-agricultural interests. The transaction transferred 35 employees and 19 single-engine aircraft to the new operation. Skyway subsequently continued independently as a flying school and charter operator in Langley. The new company expanded its geographic and operational footprint. In 1978 it acquired Frontier Helicopters, based in Watson Lake, Yukon. That rotary-wing division was renamed Conair Helicopters in 1999. Conair also attempted to diversify into cargo transportation. It applied for a cargo licence in July 1979 and began Swiftair Cargo operations on September 15, 1980, using two Douglas DC-8 aircraft flying in opposite directions across Canada. The cargo venture entered receivership by May 1982. Despite the cargo business’s failure, the company’s core aerial-firefighting operation grew rapidly. By 1984, Conair had been described as having the largest private airtanker fleet in the world, consisting of 50 fixed-wing aircraft and 15 helicopters. By the early 1990s its overall fleet had grown to more than 90 aircraft. The company subsequently changed its corporate name from Conair Aviation Ltd. to Conair Group Inc. and maintained its base in Abbotsford, where it developed aircraft maintenance and retrofit capabilities. Aircraft specialization became increasingly important to the business. In 1996 Conair became the Canadian dealer for Air Tractor, including the AT-802F, an aircraft designed specifically for aerial firefighting. Conair’s operational model combines air-attack aircraft with airtankers. Bird-dog crews select and supervise tanker runs, coordinate with ground crews and manage the aerial operating area, while the tankers deliver water or retardant. This integrated model allows Conair to provide complete fire-management support rather than merely supplying individual aircraft. Conair also participated in the development and support of multi-role firefighting aircraft. Used Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft acquired from Scandinavian Airlines System were modified through Cascade Aerospace into Q400-MR configurations for Sécurité Civile. These aircraft could function as waterbombers during fire season and as passenger or cargo aircraft during the rest of the year. The aircraft could reportedly be changed between configurations in less than three hours and could carry approximately 10,000 litres of water in tanker configuration. In January 2021, Conair announced the purchase of 11 Q400 aircraft from Flybe, with the intention of converting them into Q400AT and Q400MR variants. Cascade Aerospace later left the Conair structure. IMP Group of Halifax acquired the former Conair division in 2012. Conair continued independently as an aerial-firefighting, aircraft-maintenance and fire-management company. Its aircraft have been contracted to agencies in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Alaska, and the company has also supplied or supported firefighting operations in other markets. The cited Transport Canada data placed the Conair fleet at 74 aircraft in May 2025. The company’s operational history has also included fatal accidents. On July 31, 2010, Convair CV-580 Tanker 448 collided with trees, entered a stall-spin and crashed near Lytton, British Columbia, killing both crew members. On May 22, 2015, Air Tractor AT-802 Tanker 692 encountered a fire whirl and crashed near Cold Lake, Alberta, killing its pilot. These events occurred in the inherently hazardous environment of aerial wildfire suppression and form part of the documented history of the company’s operations.
- 2025
Fleet reported at 74 aircraft
[1]Transport Canada fleet information cited in the reference material listed 74 Conair aircraft as of May 2025.
- 2021
Flybe Q400 acquisition
[1]Conair announced the purchase of 11 Q400 aircraft from Flybe for conversion into firefighting and multi-role aircraft.
- 2012
Cascade Aerospace sold
[1]IMP Group acquired Cascade Aerospace, a former Conair Group division.
- 1999
Frontier rotary division renamed
[1]The former Frontier Helicopters division was renamed Conair Helicopters.
- 1996
Canadian Air Tractor dealership
[1]Conair became the Canadian dealer for Air Tractor, including the AT-802F firefighting aircraft.
- 1984
Large private airtanker fleet
[1]Conair was reported to operate the world’s largest private fleet of airtankers, including 50 fixed-wing aircraft and 15 helicopters.
- 1982
Swiftair Cargo enters receivership
[1]The group’s air-cargo venture, Swiftair Cargo, entered receivership.
- 1980
Swiftair Cargo begins operations
[1]Conair entered air cargo through Swiftair Cargo, operating two Douglas DC-8 aircraft on cross-Canada routes.
- 1978
Frontier Helicopters acquired
[1]Conair acquired Frontier Helicopters of Watson Lake, Yukon, adding a rotary-wing operation to the group.
Formation from Skyway Air Services interests
[1]A consortium led by Les Kerr acquired Skyway Air Services’ fire-control and aerial-agricultural interests, taking over 35 employees and 19 single-engine aircraft.
Products and positioning
A specialist aviation-services provider focused on aerial wildfire suppression, aircraft adaptation and long-term support for public forest-protection agencies.
Aerial firefighting coordination
Air-attack aircraft
Conair’s bird-dog aircraft carry a pilot and an Air Attack Officer. They select safe tanker runs, determine drop locations and patterns, coordinate with ground teams and control the airspace around a wildfire. These aircraft operate together with airtankers rather than as standalone suppression assets. Current or recent types cited for the operation include Aero Commander 690 aircraft, Cessna 208B Caravans and a Cessna 525B Citation jet.
Airtanker · 1996
Air Tractor AT-802F
The AT-802F is a fixed-wing aircraft designed for aerial firefighting. Conair became Air Tractor’s Canadian dealer in 1996 and operates or supports the type as part of its smaller airtanker capability. The aircraft is used to deliver suppressant during wildfire operations and forms part of Conair’s aircraft sales and support relationship with Air Tractor.
Amphibious airtanker
Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss
The Fire Boss is the amphibious version of the Air Tractor firefighting aircraft. Its float-equipped configuration allows it to obtain water from suitable bodies of water and support wildfire suppression with repeated drops. Conair’s cited tanker fleet includes the type as part of its contracted aerial-firefighting capability.
Converted turboprop airtanker · 2021
Q400AT
The Q400AT is a firefighting conversion of the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 platform. Conair has acquired used Q400 aircraft and converted them for tanker operations, creating a larger turboprop airtanker suitable for contracted wildfire suppression. The program forms part of the company’s strategy of adapting regional aircraft to specialized fire-management roles.
Multi-role firefighting aircraft
Q400MR
The Q400MR is a multi-role Dash 8 conversion that can be configured for firefighting, passenger transport, cargo work or aerial fire control. Aircraft associated with the program were modified from used Q400 airframes and can reportedly be changed between configurations in under three hours. In tanker configuration, the aircraft can carry approximately 10,000 litres of water.
Airtanker
Avro RJ85 airtanker
Avro RJ85 aircraft are among the larger fixed-wing airtankers listed in Conair’s current or recent fleet. They are used in the company’s aerial-firefighting operations and are deployed under contracts with public fire-control agencies.
Amphibious airtanker
Canadair CL-415
The Canadair CL-415 is an amphibious waterbomber used in aerial wildfire suppression. The reference material identifies CL-415 aircraft operated by Conair subsidiary Aero-Flite. At least one CL-215 aircraft has also been retrofitted and converted into a turboprop-powered CL-415EAF configuration.
Brand decisions
2021
Purchase of Flybe Q400 aircraftM&ABackground
Conair sought additional turboprop airframes for its firefighting and multi-role aircraft programs after the collapse of British airline Flybe.
Action taken
The company announced the purchase of 11 Q400 aircraft from Flybe for conversion into Q400AT and Q400MR configurations.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the pool of aircraft available for Conair’s specialized tanker and multi-role conversion work.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
IPEG acquires Phoenix Systems[2]
Reported:
IPEG Industrial Group acquired Phoenix Systems Corp. Phoenix and its products will become part of Conair Group.
Sources2 sources
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