Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§40127 Prohibitions on discrimination

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VII— - AVIATION PROGRAMS › Part PART A— - AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › Subpart subpart i— - general › Chapter CHAPTER 401— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 40127

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Air carriers, domestic or foreign, may not discriminate against people because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or ancestry; states and local governments may not bar private-airport use or enjoyment for those reasons.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §40127

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)An air carrier or foreign air carrier may not subject a person in air transportation to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or ancestry.
(b)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no State or local government may prohibit the use or full enjoyment of a private airport within its jurisdiction by any person on the basis of that person’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or ancestry.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as an

Effective Date

of 2000

Amendments

note under section 106 of this title. Training Policies Regarding Racial, Ethnic, and Religious Nondiscrimination Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title IV, § 407, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3330, provided that: “(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018], the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] and the Secretary of Transportation a report describing—“(1) each air carrier’s training policy for its employees and contractors regarding racial, ethnic, and religious nondiscrimination; and “(2) how frequently an air carrier is required to train new employees and contractors because of turnover in positions that require such training. “(b) Best Practices.—After the date the report is submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and disseminate to air carriers best practices necessary to improve the training policies described in subsection (a), based on the findings of the report and in consultation with—“(1) passengers of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds; “(2) national organizations that represent impacted communities; “(3) air carriers; “(4) airport operators; and “(5) contract service providers.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 40127

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73