Cyprus has deployed a record nine aerial firefighting resources for June, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou told CyBC radio on Thursday.
Panayiotou said four of the firefighting aircraft are currently leased, with plans to retain them until the island develops its own aerial firefighting capacity.
For the first time in two decades, Cyprus has a plan to acquire its own firefighting aircraft, she said.
“Our goal is for Cyprus to have its first proprietary aerial resources by next year,” she noted.
The minister also emphasised the importance of addressing illegal waste dumping, citing its role in fueling wildfires like the recent major blaze in Paphos.
Local authorities hold primary responsibility for tackling this issue, Panayiotou said, while the government is taking steps to increase the number of designated green spaces.
The government has received criticism as it relied on leased aircraft and a tender process to secure additional aerial firefighting resources. These tenders and repairs caused delays, leaving the country with limited firefighting capabilities at the start of the high-risk season.
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