K-Aviation (KAA) has updated its 2023 application for a United States Foreign Air Carrier Permit, asking the US Department of Transportation to "expeditiously" issue a conditional authority to begin operations with two business jets, both currently operated by parent Korean Air.
The operator reiterated that it found itself in a regulatory catch-22. As it stands, it cannot obtain a permanent US permit until it adds the two aircraft to its Operations Specifications (OpSpecs), but at the same time it did not make sense for it to add the aircraft without US approval.
"In order to add the fixed-wing aircraft it intends to operate to the United States to its homeland operating authorities, the aircraft must stand down for several weeks, resulting in a significant operational loss. If these aircraft are transferred from Korean Air to K-Aviation, but K-Aviation fails to obtain Department authority (or such authority is significantly delayed), the resulting losses would be catastrophic to K-Aviation," the operator argued.
K-Aviation sees a conditional approval as a way out of the conundrum. It argued that if the DOT authorised it to fly to the US contingent on the subsequent induction of the two jets, then it would have the security necessary to undertake the complex recertification process.
The two aircraft involved are B737-700(BBJ) HL8222 (msn 37660) and Global Express XRS HL8230 (msn 9384).
"K-Aviation plans to sign long-term charter contracts or membership contracts with at least three global companies in Korea, and plans to operate BBJ and Global Express aircraft from Korea to the world, including the United States, if there is demand from contract companies," the operator said.
K-Aviation's initial application was previously opposed by Amerijet International, which argued that South Korea was stalling its pursuit of traffic rights to the country. However, the US cargo specialist did not object to the December 2023 amended application.
Currently only certified for rotary-wing operations, K-Aviation operates four AW139s and one Airbus Helicopters ACH160. The company was incorporated in 2021 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korean Air to specialise in the business jet market.
