Madeira demands faster action on firefighting planes and regional funding reforms
Discussions over firefighting resources and regional funding have intensified in Madeira. During a recent parliamentary debate, lawmakers pressed Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on both issues. The island’s leaders are pushing for stronger commitments on aerial firefighting support and financial reforms. The debate began with Filipe Sousa, the JPP’s only MP, urging the government to confirm plans for a second aerial firefighting asset in Madeira by 2026. He also criticised the current system, where residents of Madeira and the Azores rely heavily on national budget transfers. Sousa reminded the prime minister that a working group for revising the Regional Finance Law had been announced in October 2025, with its first meeting originally scheduled for January 2026.
Prime Minister Montenegro responded by confirming that the working group is now ready to start. He added that the government has already met with authorities from both autonomous regions to discuss the financial law’s revision.
Meanwhile, Miguel Albuquerque, president of Madeira’s regional government, insisted that the second firefighting aircraft must begin operations next year. He noted that Internal Administration Minister Luís Neves had previously promised a light water-bombing helicopter from the national fleet for the island. Montenegro later confirmed that efforts to deploy this second resource are underway. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to both firefighting support and financial reforms for Madeira. Officials now expect the working group on regional funding to move forward soon. The deployment of the second aerial asset remains a key priority for the island’s leaders in 2026.
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