AirExplore has received approval from the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) to begin commercial operations in United States airspace under conditional Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) provisions.
This approval allows AirExplore to engage in scheduled and charter air transportation of passengers, cargo, and mail to, from, and within US territory, using wet-leased aircraft operated by operators certified by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part 129 and are from countries which meet standards set forth in the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. Increased privileges are pending approval, which will further advance the air transport industry in Slovakia and the US.
“This is a fantastic moment for AirExplore to obtain the approval as the airline grows its international presence,” Martin Stulajter, Chief Executive Officer of AirExplore, said. “This approval reflects the benefits of being backed by the Avia Solutions Group.”
AirExplore reapplied for its FACP earlier this year after being acquired by Avia Solutions Group. The FACP stipulates that AirExplore will have full authority of an air carrier after Slovakia obtains its IASA certification, followed by the processing of FAA Part 129 Operations Specification for AirExplore.
The approval for operation in the United States follows other recent permits for the airline, as well as AirExplore’s placement of four 737NG aircraft with Air Peace in Nigeria. The airline has also recently announced the addition of three cargo aircraft to its fleet.