Mytilineos SA brings helicopters and crews from Australia to fight fires in Greece

Greek industrial giant Mytilineos SA has sourced from Australia a fully equipped helicopter fire fighting force to help to bring under control the fires that have been raging in Greece in recent weeks.

The company said in a statement this week that it was bringing to Greece four Bell 214 BI helicopters and a crew of 20 pilots, engineers and translators.

“From the first moment that the magnitude of the disaster became apparent, Mytilineos decided immediately to help in the most appropriate way. In collaboration with the Government and the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the Company aimed to offer firefighting helicopters, which were most needed by the Fire Department,” said the company in a statement to the media

“These helicopters (4 in number) are on their way to our country and will remain for 60 days from the date of their arrival, in order to avoid the risk of resurgence or new wildfires, while the cost of the helicopters (€ 3.3 million) is fully undertaken by Mytilineos.”

The use of the helicopters had been approved by Greece’s General Secretariat for Civil Protection and were to be handed over to the state to fight the fires raging in the country.

“Experts will adjudicate whether the wildfires that engulfed the country were the result of long-term deficiencies and state problems, or an additional proof of the catastrophic effects of climate change. Mytilineos is the first Greek company and one of the first industries in Europe and worldwide, that set clear targets to minimize its carbon footprint, while its entire strategy is governed by the principles of sustainable development,” said the company statement.

The Greek conglomerate has links to Australia through its Renewables and Storage Development (RSD) Business Unit. Most recently, in April, Mytilineos SA secured a new 10-year PPA (power purchase agreement) with QEnergy which is part of ION Holdings.

S:neoskosmos.com