Title 39, Postal ServiceRelease 119-102
§5401 Authorization
Title 39 › PART V — TRANSPORTATION OF MAIL › CHAPTER 54 — TRANSPORTATION OF MAIL BY AIR › § 5401
Summary
Postal Service may carry mail by airplane. Except section 5402, it may set rules for that transport under part A of subtitle VII of title 49 and Secretary orders.
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §5401
Postal Service, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Postal Service is authorized to provide for the safe and expeditious transportation of mail by aircraft.
(b)Except as otherwise provided in section 5402 of this title, the Postal Service may make such rules, regulations, and orders consistent with part A of subtitle VII of title 49, or any order, rule, or regulation made by the Secretary of Transportation thereunder, as may be necessary for such transportation.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–272 substituted “part A of subtitle VII” for “section 1301–1542”. 1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–443 substituted “Secretary of Transportation” for “Civil Aeronautics Board”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–443 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section 9(v) of Pub. L. 98–443, set out as a note under section 5314 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
39 U.S.C. § 5401
Title 39, Postal Service
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102