A new Slovak airline is preparing to enter the European aviation market, with Sky Alps Europe expecting to receive the regulatory approvals needed to begin commercial operations in September 2026.

Bratislava-based Sky Alps Europe sro expects the Slovak Civil Aviation Authority to issue its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and operating licence during September. Both approvals are required before the carrier can launch commercial flights.

The airline plans to begin with two de Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops transferred from the existing aircraft pool associated with SkyAlps, the regional airline based in Bolzano, Italy. Its first commercial flight is expected shortly after certification, although no launch route has yet been disclosed.

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Sky Alps Europe established in Bratislava

Sky Alps Europe is closely connected with Italian regional carrier SkyAlps but has been established as a sister company rather than a subsidiary of the Bolzano-based airline. The two companies largely share the same management.

SkyAlps itself has undergone a significant transformation since its launch. It initially operated as a virtual airline, with flights performed by Maltese carrier Luxwing, before obtaining its own certification from the Italian aviation authorities and becoming an airline in its own right.

The establishment of a separate Slovak operator represents another stage in the development of the business, although Sky Alps Europe has so far provided few details about how the new company will fit into the wider group’s strategy.

Two Dash 8-400 aircraft to launch operations

Sky Alps Europe plans to start operations with two de Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft. The turboprops will retain the same SkyAlps branding and livery used by the Italian carrier.

There will, however, be an important difference in aircraft registration. While aircraft operated by the Italian SkyAlps have been registered in Malta with 9H registrations, aircraft operated under the new Slovak certificate will use Slovakia’s OM register.

The first Dash 8-400 assigned to Sky Alps Europe is expected to carry the registration OM-TOM.

The company said the Slovak registration was necessary because there is no relevant arrangement between Slovakia and Malta that would permit it to use the Maltese register for operations under the new Slovak structure.

First Sky Alps Europe routes remain unknown

One of the biggest unanswered questions is where Sky Alps Europe will actually fly.

The company has not yet disclosed where its first two aircraft will be based or which destination will receive the inaugural commercial service. It has only indicated that the first flight is expected soon after the certification process is completed.

Sky Alps Europe has also declined to clarify whether the new Slovak airline is primarily intended to support geographical expansion, open scheduled routes from Slovak airports or perform another role within the wider SkyAlps operation.

The distinction could become important as the carrier develops because obtaining a Slovak AOC gives the company a separate operating platform from the existing Italian airline.

Embraer E-Jets could join the fleet

The Dash 8-400 is expected to form the backbone of the airline’s initial operation, but Sky Alps Europe is already considering larger aircraft for its longer-term development.

The company has indicated that Embraer E-Series regional jets could become an option in the medium term.

Adding E-Jets would represent a significant expansion beyond the Dash 8 operation, potentially allowing the airline to serve longer routes and markets where additional capacity or jet aircraft would be more suitable.

No aircraft orders, delivery timetable or specific Embraer variant have been announced, however, and the immediate priority remains completing the Slovak certification process.

September could bring another European airline launch

If the certification timetable proceeds as expected, September 2026 will mark the formal arrival of another airline operator in Slovakia.

Attention will then shift to Sky Alps Europe’s first base and route network. With two Dash 8-400s expected at launch and the possibility of Embraer jets later, the new carrier could provide SkyAlps with another platform for expanding its regional European operations.

For now, however, the company is keeping its commercial plans largely under wraps, leaving its first routes, destinations and longer-term role to be revealed after the Slovak AOC is secured.