While most countries have a flag carrier airline of some kind, Slovakia cannot be categorized in this way. Its former flag carrier, Slovak Airlines, ceased operations in 2007, less than a decade after first taking to the skies. But what exactly happened to this airline?

A brief history of Slovak Airlines

Known in the airline's native tongue as Slovenské Aerolínie, Slovak Airlines was formed in June 1995. It had the backing of a group of private investors, which was headed by Viliam Veteška. Veteška later became a politician, serving in both the Slovakian (from 2002) and European (from 2004) parliaments. He passed away in April 2009, aged 55 years old.

It took almost years for Slovak Airlines to take to the skies following its foundation in June 1995. It eventually did so in May 1998, at which time its initial fleet consisted of Saab and Tupolev aircraft. After just under seven years of operations, Star Alliance member Austrian Airlines acquired a 62% majority stake in the airline in January 2005.

Despite the support from such an established European flag carrier, Slovak Airlines ceased operations two years later. Austrian Airlines withdrew its support in January 2007, repossessing two aircraft, and Slovak Airlines filed for bankruptcy in March that year.

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What aircraft did Slovak Airlines fly?

According to data from ch-aviation.com, Slovak Airlines flew a total of eight aircraft during its nine years of operations. As previously alluded to, its first planes were Tupolev and Saab designs. The former Slovakian flag carrier operated two Tupolev Tu-154M trijets between 1998 and 2003, as well as a Saab 340A turboprop between 1998 and 2000.

In terms of Slovak Airlines' later years, the Boeing 737-300 was a key player. This was its most numerous aircraft variant, totaling three examples. Two of these were with the airline when it collapsed in 2007, having arrived in 2002 and 2005. A third flew for Slovak Airlines for six months in 2004. Meanwhile, it also flew a Fokker 100 from 2005 to 2007.

Slovak Airlines even briefly dipped into the widebody market. Specifically, data from ch-aviation shows that a single Boeing 767-200ER flew for the airline. Registered as OM-NSH, this twin-aisle design served for the Slovakian flag carrier from July 2004 to October 2005.

Brief new beginnings

While Slovak Airlines ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy in 2007, this wasn't necessarily the end of the line. Indeed, Trenčín-based charter airline Seagle Air took over its offices, as well as providing jobs for a significant number of ex-Slovak Airlines employees.

Unfortunately, this gesture turned out to be too good to be true. Seagle Air itself ceased operations just over two years later, in October 2009, reportedly due to financial issues. The following January, its bankruptcy was announced in the media.

At the time of its shutdown, Seagle Air was operating two Airbus A320s and four Boeing 737-300s. None of these aircraft remain active today, with both A320s and two 737s having been scrapped. The other two 737s have been placed into storage.

Did you ever fly with Slovak Airlines? What are your memories of the former Slovakian flag carrier? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.