Our Roots 

The first of the Conair companies was formed in 1969 in Langley, British Columbia, as a spin-off of Skyway Air Services, providing aerial firefighting and application work within the province, using 19 aircraft maintained and crewed by 35 team members. From inception to his passing in 2021, Barry Marsden, one of Conair’s founders, led the company, dedicating his life to protecting the world from wildfires and putting the safety of the Conair team and partner firefighters first.

“Although he would never acknowledge it, his contribution to the global aerial firefighting industry resulted in countless lives and resources being saved over the past five decades,” said Matt Bradley, past President and CEO of Conair. “A true visionary, Barry was committed to continually improving aerial firefighting services around the globe, tirelessly striving to incorporate innovative engineering and technology to produce safer and more effective missions.”

Today, over half a century later, Conair has made 16 different aircraft types designed to respond to wildfires, converting more than 200 individual aircraft. Our fleet has grown to more than 70 aircraft, operated by a skilled team of more than 600 full-time employees and contractors, flying over 12,000 hours per year and supporting governments in Canada, the US, Australia and France.