An investigation in Portugal alleges a consortium of six companies manipulated the aerial firefighting market through privileged information. This alleged scheme reportedly impacted public tenders for helicopter services. Consequently, the Portuguese Air Force may now face a critical shortage of aerial firefighting resources. Authorities suspect the companies colluded to influence bidding processes, potentially inflating costs and limiting competition. The investigation focuses on whether insider knowledge was used to gain an unfair advantage in securing contracts. Details of the alleged “privileged information” have not yet been fully disclosed, but the situation raises concerns about transparency in public procurement. The potential ramifications include delays in responding to wildfires and increased risks to public safety.