49 U.S.C. § 41718 (TRANSPORTATION)
§ 41718. Special rules for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
(a) Beyond-Perimeter Exemptions.—
The Secretary shall grant, by order, 24 exemptions from the application of sections 49104(a)(5), 49109, 49111(e), and 41714 of this title to air carriers to operate limited frequencies and aircraft on select routes between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and domestic hub airports and exemptions from the requirements of subparts K and S of part 93, Code of Federal Regulations, if the Secretary finds that the exemptions will—
(1) provide air transportation with domestic network benefits in areas beyond the perimeter described in that section;
(2) increase competition by new entrant air carriers or in multiple markets;
(3) not reduce travel options for communities served by small hub airports and medium hub airports within the perimeter described in section 49109; and
(4) not result in meaningfully increased travel delays.
(b) Within-Perimeter Exemptions.—
The Secretary shall grant, by order, 20 exemptions from the requirements of sections 49104(a)(5), 49111(e), and 41714 of this title and subparts K and S of part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to air carriers for providing air transportation to airports within the perimeter established for civil aircraft operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport under section 49109. The Secretary shall develop criteria for distributing slot exemptions for flights within the perimeter to such airports under this paragraph in a manner that promotes air transportation—
(1) by new entrant air carriers and limited incumbent air carriers;
(2) to communities without existing nonstop air transportation to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport;
(3) to small communities;
(4) that will provide competitive nonstop air transportation on a monopoly nonstop route to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; or
(5) that will produce the maximum competitive benefits, including low fares.
(c) Limitations.—
(1) Stage 3 aircraft required.—
An exemption may not be granted under this section with respect to any aircraft that is not a Stage 3 aircraft (as defined by the Secretary).
(2) General exemptions.—
(A) Hourly limitation.—
The exemptions granted—
(i) under subsections (a), (b), and (i) and departures authorized under subsection (g)(2) may not be for operations between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.; and
(ii) under subsections (a), (b), (g), and (i) may not increase the number of operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in any 1-hour period during the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. by more than 5 operations.
(B) Use of existing slots.—
A non-limited incumbent air carrier utilizing an exemption authorized under subsection (g)(3) for an arrival permitted between the hours of 10:01 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. under this section shall discontinue use of an existing slot during the same time period the arrival exemption is operated.
(3) Allocation of within-perimeter exemptions.—
Of the exemptions granted under subsection (b)—
(A) without regard to the criteria contained in subsection (b)(1), six shall be for air transportation to small hub airports and nonhub airports;
(B) ten shall be for air transportation to medium hub and smaller airports; and
(C) four shall be for air transportation to airports without regard to their size.
(4) Applicability to exemption no. 5133.—
Nothing in this section affects Exemption No. 5133, as from time-to-time amended and extended.
(d) Application Procedures.—
The Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that all requests for exemptions under this section are granted or denied within 90 days after the date on which the request is made.
(e) Applicability of Certain Laws.—
Neither the request for, nor the granting of an exemption, under this section shall be considered for purposes of any Federal law a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
(f) Commuters Defined.—
For purposes of aircraft operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport under subpart K of part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the term “commuters” means aircraft operations using aircraft having a certificated maximum seating capacity of 76 or less.
(g) Additional Slot Exemptions.—
(1) Increase in slot exemptions.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the Secretary shall grant, by order 16 exemptions from—
(A) the application of sections 49104(a)(5), 49109, and 41714 to air carriers to operate limited frequencies and aircraft on routes between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and airports located beyond the perimeter described in section 49109; and
(B) the requirements of subparts K and S of part 93, Code of Federal Regulations.
(2) New entrants and limited incumbents.—
Of the slot exemptions made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make 8 available to limited incumbent air carriers or new entrant air carriers (as such terms are defined in section 41714(h)). Such exemptions shall be allocated pursuant to the application process established by the Secretary under subsection (d). The Secretary shall consider the extent to which the exemptions will—
(A) provide air transportation with domestic network benefits in areas beyond the perimeter described in section 49109;
(B) increase competition in multiple markets;
(C) not reduce travel options for communities served by small hub airports and medium hub airports within the perimeter described in section 49109;
(D) not result in meaningfully increased travel delays;
(E) enhance options for nonstop travel to and from the beyond-perimeter airports that will be served as a result of those exemptions;
(F) have a positive impact on the overall level of competition in the markets that will be served as a result of those exemptions; or
(G) produce public benefits, including the likelihood that the service to airports located beyond the perimeter described in section 49109 will result in lower fares, higher capacity, and a variety of service options.
(3) Improved network slots.—
Of the slot exemptions made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make 8 available to incumbent air carriers qualifying for status as a non-limited incumbent carrier at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as of the date of enactment of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Each such non-limited incumbent air carrier—
(A) may operate up to a maximum of 2 of the newly authorized slot exemptions;
(B) prior to exercising an exemption made available under paragraph (1), shall discontinue the use of a slot for service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and a large hub airport within the perimeter as described in section 49109, and operate, in place of such service, service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and an airport located beyond the perimeter described in section 49109;
(C) shall be entitled to return of the slot by the Secretary if use of the exemption made available to the carrier under paragraph (1) is discontinued;
(D) shall have sole discretion concerning the use of an exemption made available under paragraph (1), including the initial or any subsequent beyond perimeter destinations to be served; and
(E) shall file a notice of intent with the Secretary and subsequent notices of intent, when appropriate, to inform the Secretary of any change in circumstances concerning the use of any exemption made available under paragraph (1).
(4) Notices of intent.—
Notices of intent under paragraph (3)(E) shall specify the beyond perimeter destination to be served and the slots the carrier shall discontinue using to serve a large hub airport located within the perimeter.
(5) Conditions.—
Beyond-perimeter flight operations carried out by an air carrier using an exemption granted under this subsection shall be subject to the following conditions:
(A) An air carrier may not operate a multi-aisle or widebody aircraft in conducting such operations.
(B) An air carrier granted an exemption under this subsection is prohibited from transferring the rights to its beyond-perimeter exemptions pursuant to section 41714(j).
(h) Scheduling Priority.—
In administering this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) afford a scheduling priority to operations conducted by new entrant air carriers and limited incumbent air carriers over operations conducted by other air carriers granted additional slot exemptions under subsection (g) for service to airports located beyond the perimeter described in section 49109;
(2) afford a scheduling priority to slot exemptions currently held by new entrant air carriers and limited incumbent air carriers for service to airports located beyond the perimeter described in section 49109, to the extent necessary to protect viability of such service; and
(3) consider applications from foreign air carriers that are certificated by the government of Canada if such consideration is required by the bilateral aviation agreement between the United States and Canada and so long as the conditions and limitations under this section apply to such foreign air carriers.
(i) Additional Slot Exemptions.—
(1) Increase in slot exemptions.—
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Secretary shall grant, by order, 10 exemptions from—
(A) the application of sections 49104(a)(5), 49109, and 41714 to air carriers to operate limited frequencies and aircraft on routes between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and domestic airports located within or beyond the perimeter described in section 49109; and
(B) the requirements of subparts K, S, and T of part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(2) Non-limited incumbents.—
Of the slot exemptions made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make 8 available to incumbent air carriers qualifying for status as a non-limited incumbent carrier at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as of the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
(3) Limited incumbents.—
Of the slot exemptions made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make 2 available to incumbent air carriers qualifying for status as a limited incumbent carrier at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as of the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
(4) Allocation procedures.—
The Secretary shall allocate the 10 slot exemptions provided under paragraph (1) pursuant to the application process established by the Secretary under subsection (d), subject to the following:
(A) Limitations.—
Each air carrier that is eligible under paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) shall be eligible to operate no more and no less than 2 of the newly authorized slot exemptions.
(B) Criteria.—
The Secretary shall consider the extent to which the exemptions will—
(i) enhance options for nonstop travel to beyond-perimeter airports that do not have nonstop service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as of the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; or
(ii) have a positive impact on the overall level of competition in the markets that will be served as a result of those exemptions.
(5) Prohibition.—
(A) In general.—
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority may not assess any penalty or similar levy against an individual air carrier solely for obtaining and operating a slot exemption authorized under this subsection.
(B) Rule of construction.—
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as prohibiting the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority from assessing and collecting any penalty, fine, or other levy, such as a handling fee or landing fee, that is—
(i) authorized by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Regulations;
(ii) agreed to in writing by the air carrier; or
(iii) charged in the ordinary course of business to an air carrier operating at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport regardless of whether or not the air carrier obtained a slot exemption authorized under this subsection.
(Added Pub. L. 106–181, title II, § 231(e)(1), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 112; amended Pub. L. 108–176, title IV, §§ 425, 426(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2555; Pub. L. 112–95, title IV, § 414(a), (b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 90, 92; Pub. L. 118–63, title V, § 502(a), (b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1187, 1188.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: The date of enactment of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), (3), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 112–95, which was approved Feb. 14, 2012.
The date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, referred to in subsec. (i)(1) to (3), (4)(B)(i), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 118–63, which was approved May 16, 2024.
heading: Amendments
text: 2024—Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 118–63, § 502(b)(1), substituted “, (b), and (i)” for “and (b)”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 118–63, § 502(b)(2), substituted “(g), and (i)” for “and (g)”.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 118–63, § 502(a), added subsec. (i).
2012—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 112–95, § 414(b), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The exemptions granted under subsections (a) and (b) may not be for operations between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and may not increase the number of operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in any 1-hour period during the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. by more than 3 operations.”
Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 112–95, § 414(a), added subsecs. (g) and (h).
2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–176, § 425(a), substituted “24 exemptions” for “12 exemptions” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–176, § 425(b), in introductory provisions, substituted “20 exemptions” for “12 exemptions” and struck out “that were designated as medium hub or smaller airports” before “within the perimeter established”.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 108–176, § 425(c)(1), substituted “3 operations” for “two operations”.
Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 108–176, § 425(c)(2)(A), substituted “without regard to the criteria contained in subsection (b)(1), six” for “four” and struck out “and” at end.
Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 108–176, § 425(c)(2)(B), substituted “ten” for “eight” and “; and” for period at end.
Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 108–176, § 425(c)(2)(C), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–176, § 425(d), amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
“(1) Deadline for submission.—All requests for exemptions under this section must be submitted to the Secretary not later than the 30th day following the date of the enactment of this subsection.
“(2) Deadline for comments.—All comments with respect to any request for an exemption under this section must be submitted to the Secretary not later than the 45th day following the date of the enactment of this subsection.
“(3) Deadline for final decision.—Not later than the 90th day following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make a decision regarding whether to approve or deny any request that is submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1).”
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–176, § 426(a), added subsec. (f).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
text: Amendment 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.
heading: Effective Date
text: 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.
heading: Regulations
text: Pub. L. 108–176, title IV, § 426(b), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2556, provided that: “The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall revise regulations to take into account the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section].”
heading: Construction of 2024 Amendment: Preservation of Existing Within Perimeter Service
text: Pub. L. 118–63, title V, § 502(c), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1188, provided that: “Nothing in this section [amending this section], or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed as authorizing the conversion of a within-perimeter exemption or slot at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024] to serve an airport located beyond the perimeter described in section 49109 of title 49, United States Code.”
heading: General Aviation Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
text: Pub. L. 108–176, title VIII, § 823, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2595, provided that:
“(a) Security Plan.—
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop and implement a security plan to permit general aviation aircraft to land and take off at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
“(b) Landings and Takeoffs.—
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall allow general aviation aircraft that comply with the requirements of the security plan to land and take off at the Airport except during any period that the President suspends the plan developed under subsection (a) due to national security concerns.
“(c) Report.—
If the President suspends the security plan developed under subsection (a), the President shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure a report on the reasons for the suspension not later than 30 days following the first day of the suspension. The report may be submitted in classified form.”