Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73not60
§41731 Definitions
Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VII— AVIATION PROGRAMS › Part A— AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › Subpart ii— economic regulation › Chapter 417— OPERATIONS OF CARRIERS › Subchapter II— SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE › § 41731
Summary
Sets who can get federal money to keep small communities flying. To qualify, a place must be in the United States and meet one of the old-service tests (it was an eligible point before October 1, 1988, or got scheduled service after January 1, 1990 and is not listed as ineligible in DOT Orders 89–9–37 and 89–12–52, or it was found eligible between October 1, 1988 and the enactment of Public Law 114–190). It also must meet recent-use and cost tests: an average of at least 10 boardings per service day in the most recent fiscal year that began after September 30, 2012 (unless in Alaska or Hawaii or more than 175 driving miles from a large/medium hub), and average subsidy-per-passenger below $1,000 for the fiscal year beginning before October 1, 2026, below $850 for the fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2026, and below $650 for places less than 175 miles from the nearest large or medium hub. The place also must have had essential air service or a 140-day termination notice between September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2011. The Secretary of Transportation cannot reject eligibility for reasons not written in these rules. The Secretary may waive the 10-boardings rule and the $650 rule for one year if demand fell temporarily, but starting in fiscal year 2027 a place cannot get such waivers for more than 2 years in a row or more than 5 years in any 25-year span. Defined terms (one line each): "eligible place" — a community that meets the tests above; "enhanced essential air service" — scheduled service at a higher level than basic essential air service; "enplanements" — passengers boarding the subsidized carrier at that place.
Full Legal Text
Title 49, §41731
Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In this subchapter—
(1)“eligible place” means a place in the United States that—
(A)(i)(I)was an eligible point under section 419 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 before October 1, 1988;
(II)received scheduled air transportation at any time after January 1, 1990; and
(III)is not listed in Department of Transportation Orders 89–9–37 and 89–12–52 as a place ineligible for compensation under this subchapter; or
(ii)was determined, on or after October 1, 1988, and before the date of the enactment of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190), under this subchapter by the Secretary of Transportation to be eligible to receive subsidized small community air service under section 41736(a);
(B)had an average of 10 enplanements per service day or more, as determined by the Secretary, during the most recent fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2012;
(C)had an average subsidy per passenger, as determined by the Secretary—
(i)of less than $1,000 during the most recent fiscal year beginning before October 1, 2026, regardless of driving miles to the nearest large or medium hub airport;
(ii)of less than $850 during the most recent fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2026, regardless of driving miles to the nearest medium or large hub airport; and
(iii)of less than $650 during the most recent fiscal year for locations that are less than 175 miles from the nearest large or medium hub airport; and
(D)is a community that, at any time during the period between September 30, 2010, and September 30, 2011, inclusive—
(i)received essential air service for which compensation was provided to an air carrier under this subchapter; or
(ii)received a 140-day notice of intent to terminate essential air service and the Secretary required the air carrier to continue to provide such service to the community.
(2)“enhanced essential air service” means scheduled air transportation to an eligible place of a higher level or quality than basic essential air service described in section 41732 of this title.
(b)The Secretary may not decide that a place described in subsection (a)(1) of this section is not an eligible place on any basis that is not specifically stated in this subchapter.
(c)Subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (a)(1) shall not apply with respect to locations in the State of Alaska or the State of Hawaii.
(d)Subsection (a)(1)(B) shall not apply with respect to locations that are more than 175 driving miles from the nearest large or medium hub airport.
(e)(1)The Secretary may waive, on an annual basis, subsections (a)(1)(B) and (a)(1)(C)(iii) with respect to an eligible place if such place demonstrates to the Secretary’s satisfaction that the reason the eligibility requirements of such subsections are not met is due to a temporary decline in demand.
(2)Beginning with fiscal year 2027, the Secretary may not provide a waiver of subsection (a)(1)(B) to any location—
(A)in more than 2 consecutive fiscal years; or
(B)in more than 5 fiscal years within 25 consecutive years.
(3)Beginning in fiscal year 2027, the Secretary may not provide a waiver of subsection (a)(1)(C)(iii) to any location—
(A)in more than 2 consecutive fiscal years; or
(B)in more than 5 fiscal years within 25 consecutive years.
(f)For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(B), the term “enplanements” means the number of passengers enplaning, at an eligible place, on flights operated by the subsidized essential air service carrier.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 41731(a)(1)49 App.:1389(a)(1).Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, § 419(a); added Oct. 24, 1978, Pub. L. 95–504, § 33(a), 92 Stat. 1732; Dec. 8, 1983, Pub. L. 98–213, § 10, 97 Stat. 1461; Oct. 4, 1984, Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(r), 98 Stat. 1708; restated Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, § 202(a)(1), (2), (b)(1), 101 Stat. 1507, 1508; restated Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–508, § 9113(a), 104 Stat. 1388–363. 41731(a)(2)49 App.:1389(k)(2).Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, § 419(k)(2)–(5); added Oct. 24, 1978, Pub. L. 95–504, § 33(a), 92 Stat. 1732; Dec. 8, 1983, Pub. L. 98–213, § 10, 97 Stat. 1461; Oct. 4, 1984, Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(r), 98 Stat. 1708; restated Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, § 202(a)(1), (2), (b)(1), 101 Stat. 1507, 1517. 41731(a)(3)49 App.:1389(k)(3). 41731(a)(4)49 App.:1389(k)(4). 41731(a)(5)49 App.:1389(k)(5). 41731(b)49 App.:1389(a)(2). In this subchapter (except subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section), the word “place” is substituted for “point” for clarity and consistency in the revised title. In subsection (a)(1)(A), the words “was an eligible point . . . before October 1, 1988” are substituted for “is defined as an eligible point . . . as in effect before October 1, 1988” for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (a)(2), the words “described in section 41732 of this title” are added for clarity. In subsection (a)(3)–(5), the word “boardings” is substituted for “enplanements” for clarity and consistency in the revised title.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
section 419 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i), is section 419 of Pub. L. 85–726, which was classified to section 1389 of former Title 49, Transportation, and was repealed and reenacted as this subchapter by Pub. L. 103–272, §§ 1(e), 7(b),
July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1143, 1379. The date of the enactment of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 114–190, which was approved
July 15, 2016.
Amendments
2024—Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 118–63, § 561(a)(1), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “had an average subsidy per passenger of less than $1,000 during the most recent fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary; and”. Subsec. (a)(1)(D)(ii). Pub. L. 118–63, § 561(a)(2), substituted “140-day” for “90-day”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–63, § 561(a)(3), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary may waive, on an annual basis, subsection (a)(1)(B) with respect to a location if the location demonstrates to the Secretary’s satisfaction that the reason the location averages fewer than 10 enplanements per day is due to a temporary decline in enplanements.” 2018—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 115–254 substituted “FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190),” for “Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century,”. 2012—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 112–95, § 421(1), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “is located not less than 90 miles from the nearest medium or large hub airport; and”. Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 112–95, § 422, added subpar. (D). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–95, § 421(2), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Subsections (a)(1)(B) and (a)(1)(C) shall not apply with respect to a location in the State of Alaska.” Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–95, § 421(3), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary may waive subsection (a)(1)(B) with respect to a location if the Secretary determines that the geographic characteristics of the location result in undue difficulty in accessing the nearest medium or large hub airport.” Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 112–95, § 421(4), added subsecs. (e) and (f). 2011—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–27, § 6(a), redesignated cls. (i) to (iii) of subpar. (A) as subcls. (I) to (III), respectively, redesignated subpars. (A) and (B) as cls. (i) and (ii), respectively, inserted “(A)” before “(i)(I)” in subcl. (I) of cl. (i), substituted “was determined” for “determined”, “Secretary of Transportation” for “Secretary”, and semicolon for period at end in cl. (ii) of subpar. (A), and added subpars. (B) and (C). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–27, § 6(b), substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation” and “on any basis” for “on the basis of a passenger subsidy at that place or on another basis”. Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 112–27, § 6(c), added subsecs. (c) and (d). 2003—Subsec. (a)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 108–176 struck out pars. (3) to (5) which defined “hub airport”, “nonhub airport”, and “small hub airport”, respectively. 2000—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 106–181 redesignated subpars. (A), (B), and (C) as cls. (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, of subpar (A) and added subpar. (B).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2003 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 108–176 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 2003, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–176, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2000 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of this title. Response Time for Applications To Provide Essential Air Service Pub. L. 118–63, title V, § 568,
May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1219, provided that: “The Secretary [of Transportation] shall take such actions as are necessary to respond with an approval or denial of any application filed by an applicant to provide essential air service under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, to the greatest extent practicable not later than 6 months after receiving such application. The Assistant General Counsel for International and Aviation Economic Law shall ensure the timely review of all orders proposed by the Essential Air Service Office, and such timeliness shall be analyzed annually by the General Counsel of the Department of Transportation.” Code-Sharing Pilot Program Pub. L. 108–176, title IV, § 406, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2545, provided that: “(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary may require air carriers providing service with compensation under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, and major air carriers (as defined in section 41716(a)(2) of such title) serving large hub airports (as defined in section 40102 of such title) to participate in multiple code-share arrangements consistent with normal industry practice whenever and wherever the Secretary determines that such multiple code-sharing arrangements would improve air transportation services. “(b) Limitation.—The Secretary may not require air carriers to participate in the pilot program under this section for more than 10 communities receiving service under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code.” Measurement of Highway Miles for Purposes of Determining Eligibility of Essential Air Service Subsidies Pub. L. 108–176, title IV, § 409, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2547, as amended by Pub. L. 110–190, § 4(d)(1), Feb. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 644; Pub. L. 110–330, § 5(k), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3719; Pub. L. 111–69, § 5(k), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2055; Pub. L. 111–249, § 5(k), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 205(k), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 358; Pub. L. 112–91, § 5(k), Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 112–95, title IV, § 431, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 100; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 102(g), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 102(f), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1102(g),
July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 102(g), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 102(f), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1046; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title IV, § 457, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3350; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2202(m), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 102(m), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1114; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 102(m), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 22, provided that: “(a) Request for Secretarial Review.—An eligible place (as defined in section 41731 of title 49, United States Code) with respect to which the Secretary has, in the 2-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2003], eliminated (or tentatively eliminated) compensation for essential air service to such place, or terminated (or tentatively terminated) the compensation eligibility of such place for essential air service, under section 332 of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 [Pub. L. 106–69] ([former] 49 U.S.C. 41731 note), section 205 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century [Pub. L. 106–181] (49 U.S.C. 41731 note), or any prior law of similar effect based on the highway mileage of such place from the nearest hub airport (as defined in section 40102 of such title), may request the Secretary to review such action. “(b) Determination of Mileage.—In reviewing an action under subsection (a), the highway mileage between an eligible place and the nearest medium hub airport or large hub airport is the highway mileage of the most commonly used route between the place and the medium hub airport or large hub airport. In identifying such route, the Secretary shall identify the most commonly used route for a community by—“(1) consulting with the Governor of a State or the Governor’s designee; and “(2) considering the certification of the Governor of a State or the Governor’s designee as to the most commonly used route. “(c) Eligibility Determination.—Not later than 60 days after receiving a request under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—“(1) determine whether the eligible place would have been subject to an elimination of compensation eligibility for essential air service, or termination of the eligibility of such place for essential air service, under the provisions of law referred to in subsection (a) based on the determination of the highway mileage of such place from the nearest medium hub airport or large hub airport under subsection (b); and “(2) issue a final order with respect to the eligibility of such place for essential air service compensation under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code. “(d) Limitation on Period of Final Order.—A final order issued under subsection (c) shall terminate on
May 10, 2024.” [Pub. L. 110–190, § 4(d)(2), Feb. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 644, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending section 409(d) of Pub. L. 108–176, set out above] shall take effect on
September 29, 2007, and shall apply with respect to any final order issued under section 409(c) of such Act [section 409(c) of Pub. L. 108–176, set out above] that was in effect on such date.” ] Marketing Practices Pub. L. 106–181, title II, § 207, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 94, provided that: “(a) Review of Marketing Practices That Adversely Affect Service to Small or Medium Communities.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 5, 2000], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall review the marketing practices of air carriers that may inhibit the availability of quality, affordable air transportation services to small- and medium-sized communities, including—“(1) marketing arrangements between airlines and travel agents; “(2) code-sharing partnerships; “(3) computer reservation system displays; “(4) gate arrangements at airports; “(5) exclusive dealing arrangements; and “(6) any other marketing practice that may have the same effect. “(b)
Regulations
.—If the Secretary finds, after conducting the review, that marketing practices inhibit the availability of affordable air transportation services to small- and medium-sized communities, then, after public notice and an opportunity for comment, the Secretary may issue
Regulations
that address the problem or take other appropriate action. “(c) Statutory
Construction
.—Nothing in this section expands the authority or jurisdiction of the Secretary to issue
Regulations
under chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, or under any other law.” Restrictions on Essential Air Service Subsidies Pub. L. 106–181, title II, § 205, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 94, provided that: “The Secretary [of Transportation] may provide assistance under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, with respect to a place that is located within 70 highway miles of a hub airport (as defined by section 41731 of such title) if the most commonly used highway route between the place and the hub airport exceeds 70 miles.” Pub. L. 106–69, title III, § 332, Oct. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1022, which did not provide essential air service subsidies to communities in the 48 contiguous States that were located fewer than 70 highway miles from the nearest large or medium hub airport or required a rate of subsidy per passenger in excess of $200 unless such point was greater than 210 miles from the nearest large or medium hub airport, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title V, § 561(a)(4)(A),
May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1214. [Pub. L. 112–95, title IV, § 426(c), (d), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 99, as amended by Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title IV, § 458, title V, § 539(s)(2), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3350, 3372, which provided that the Secretary of Transportation could waive the subsidy-per-passenger cap established by section 332 of Pub. L. 106–69, and the Secretary would waive application of the subsidy-per-passenger cap if the Secretary found that the community’s subsidy-per-passenger for a fiscal year was lower than the subsidy-per-passenger for any of the 3 previous fiscal years, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title V, § 561(a)(4)(B),
May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1214.] Provisions similar to those in section 332 of Pub. L. 106–69, formerly set out above, were contained in the following prior appropriation acts: Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(g) [title III, § 334], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–439, 2681–471. Pub. L. 105–66, title III, § 336, Oct. 27, 1997, 111 Stat. 1447.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
49 U.S.C. § 41731
Title 49 — Transportation
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60