(a) In General.—An air carrier may not terminate interstate air transportation from a nonhub airport included on the Secretary of Transportation’s latest published list of such airports, unless such air carrier has given the Secretary at least 45 days’ notice before such termination.
(b) Exceptions.—The requirements of subsection (a) shall not apply when—(1) the carrier involved is experiencing a sudden or unforeseen financial emergency, including natural weather related emergencies, equipment-related emergencies, and strikes;
(2) the termination of transportation is made for seasonal purposes only;
(3) the carrier involved has operated at the affected nonhub airport for 180 days or less;
(4) the carrier involved provides other transportation by jet from another airport serving the same community as the affected nonhub airport; or
(5) the carrier involved makes alternative arrangements, such as a change of aircraft size, or other types of arrangements with a part 121 or part 135 air carrier, that continues uninterrupted service from the affected nonhub airport.
(c) Waivers for Regional/Commuter Carriers.—Before January 1, 1995, the Secretary shall establish terms and conditions under which regional/commuter carriers can be excluded from the termination notice requirement.
(d) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Part 121 air carrier.—The term “part 121 air carrier” means an air carrier to which part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, applies.
(2) Part 135 air carrier.—The term “part 135 air carrier” means an air carrier to which part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, applies.
(3) Regional/commuter carriers.—The term “regional/commuter carrier” means—(A) a part 135 air carrier; or
(B) a part 121 air carrier that provides air transportation exclusively with aircraft having a seating capacity of no more than 70 passengers.
(4) Termination.—The term “termination” means the cessation of all service at an airport by an air carrier.
(Added Pub. L. 103–305, title II, § 207(a), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1587, § 41715; amended Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(53), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4385; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(73), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3396; renumbered § 41719, Pub. L. 106–181, title II, § 231(b)(1), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 108; Pub. L. 108–176, title II, § 225(b)(1), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2528.)
Historical and Revision NotesThis amends 49:41715(a) to conform to the style of title 49.
Editorial Notes
Amendments2003—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–176 redesignated pars. (2) to (5) as (1) to (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which defined “nonhub airport”.
2000—Pub. L. 106–181 renumbered section 41715 of this title as this section.
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted “Secretary of Transportation’s” for “Secretary’s”.
1994—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted “41731(a)(4)” for “41731(a)(3)”.
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 DatePub. L. 103–305, title II, § 207(d), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1588, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending section 46301 of this title] shall take effect on February 1, 1995.”