AirExplore receives approval to operate in the US | Airlines

AirExplore, the European-based wet-lease specialist operator, has been granted regulatory approval by the US Department of Transportation (DoT) to operate commercial flights from and to, as well as within, the United States.

Slovakia-registered Air Explore is owned by the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) company, Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group (ASG). Under the terms of the approval, Air Explore will now be permitted to operate scheduled and charter flights carrying passengers, mail, and cargo from and to US airports using wet-leased aircraft operated by operators certified by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 129.

Such aircraft must also meet standards set by the FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA).

The approval for a Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) was granted to AirExplore after the carrier reapplied for the Part 129 license following its acquisition by ASG in 2023. 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 itself.

“This is a fantastic moment for AirExplore to obtain the approval as the airline grows its international presence,” said Martin Stulajter, Chief Executive Officer of AirExplore. “This approval…