Slovakia‘s AirExplore has been conditionally granted a tentative US Foreign Air Carrier Permit and exemption after waiting nearly nine years since filing its application in October 2015. The permit is subject to restrictions until Slovakia attains an FAA IASA Category 1 assessment.
Prior to Slovakia undergoing FAA audit, AirExplore will be allowed to operate to the US solely through wet-lease agreements with carriers from Category 1 countries. The airline voluntarily agreed to limit its economic authority to use services of duly certified carriers under wet-lease arrangements until the audit is completed.
The Slovak Transport Authority has not responded to inquiries on the country’s plans for the FAA audit, leading to uncertainty surrounding the process.
AirExplore, a Slovak ACMI/charter specialist, previously applied for an FACP in 2015, with the US Department of Transportation delaying action until 2024. Following its acquisition by Avia Solutions Group, the airline resubmitted its application in April 2024, seeking limited authority until the completion of the FAA IASA audit. AirExplore’s fleet consists of nine B737-800s, four B737-800(BCF)s, and four B737-800(SF)s.
