Title 49 › SUBTITLE VII — AVIATION PROGRAMS › PART A — AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › subpart ii — economic regulation › CHAPTER 417 — OPERATIONS OF CARRIERS › SUBCHAPTER III — REGIONAL AIR SERVICE INCENTIVE PROGRAM › § 41762
Defines key words used in this part of the law. Air carrier — an airline that holds a federal certificate to provide air service. Aircraft purchase — buying commercial transport airplanes and the usual spare parts. Capital reserve subsidy amount — the budgeted amount needed to cover the government’s estimated long-term cost of a federal credit instrument, calculated on a net present value basis and handled under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. Commuter air carrier — an airline that mainly flies planes with 75 seats or fewer on published schedules. Federal credit instrument — a secured loan, loan guarantee, or line of credit the government can provide here. Financial obligation — a note, bond, debenture, or other debt used to finance an aircraft purchase, not including a federal credit instrument. Lender — a non‑federal qualified institutional buyer, which can include certain qualified retirement plans and governmental plans. Line of credit — an agreement to provide a direct loan later if specific events happen. Loan guarantee — a government pledge to pay part or all of the principal and interest on a lender’s loan. New entrant air carrier — an airline that has run scheduled service for less than 5 years, including one that has authority but is not yet flying. Obligor — the party mainly responsible for paying a federal credit instrument; it can be a company, partnership, trust, or government entity. Regional jet aircraft — a jet plane designed to carry between 30 and 75 passengers. Secured loan — a direct loan from the government to help finance an aircraft purchase. Underserved market — a passenger market the Secretary defines that is served by a nonhub or small hub airport, is more than 40 miles from any airport that handles at least 0.25% of U.S. boardings each year, and does not have enough air service.
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Legislative History
Reference
Citation
49 U.S.C. § 41762
Title 49, Transportation
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110