Rising Costs in Firefighting Aircraft Rentals
May 20, 2025
The Audit Office criticizes the Forestry Department for its procurement processes regarding firefighting aircraft, stating that costs significantly exceeded initial estimates. In the five cases reviewed, the awarded amounts reached €62.5 million, higher than the estimated €48.8 million. Delays in the tendering process have resulted in shortages of aerial resources during the critical summer period for fire fighting. The report also notes a decline in service quality due to these delays.