French startup Kepplair secures first ATR72 for firefighting conversion

Kepplair, a French startup developing a firefighting version of the ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft, announced on May 28, 2026, that it has secured its first prototype aircraft for testing purposes. 

The aircraft has been provided by ACIA-Aero Capital, an aircraft leasing firm specializing in regional aircraft and related support services, which is a partner of Kepplair. 

The aircraft will be delivered at an unspecified date later this summer. Upon arrival at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS), where Kepplair is based, it will be modified to fit it with the firefighting kit and systems. 

The French startup will leverage the existing aerospace ecosystem in Toulouse in order to carry out this project.  

The converted aircraft will be known as KEPPLAIR 72 “Forest Keeper” and will be able to drop up to 7.5 tons of water. It will also have the capability to perform other missions, such as medical evacuation and cargo transportation. 

The modification work will be performed by MRO specialist Aerotec & Concept and will involve the retrofit of a telemetry and drop system made by Trotter Controls, another supplier that is a leader in this specific market niche.  

In particular, Kepplair’s firefighting ATR will feature a water release system called KEDS (KepplairEvolution Delivery System) which has been developed exclusively for this project by Trotter Controls and IMFT (Toulouse Institute of Fluid Mechanics). 

Kepplair expects to start testing the aircraft in its water-bombing function before the end of 2026. The French startup is targeting 2027 for the obtention of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and the related European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. This would be followed by the first deliveries. It also plans to apply for certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later.  

In fact, by using a tried-and-tested platform like the ATR72, Kepplair aims to be able to fast-track the path to market for the Kepplair 72 “Forest Keeper” and reduce its maintenance costs by leveraging the existing ATR supply chains. 

Kepplair is one of several European startups which are looking to develop new generation aerial firefighting solutions in response to increasing concerns about extreme fire events triggered by global warming.  

Both the European Union, through its Civil Protection Mechanism, and countries which are particularly exposed to large forest fires, like France, Spain and Italy, have shown interest in new firefighting solutions which replace or complement their ageing aerial firefighting fleets, a significant part of which is made up of Canadair amphibious aircraft that are several decades old.  

According to Kepplair, the French Directorate-General for Civil Security and Crisis Management has already shown interest in this ATR variant.

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