NAICS Code 481 — Air Transportation
Subsector in the official 2022 North American Industry Classification System (U.S. Census Bureau). It contains 2 direct sub-codes.
| Code | 481 |
|---|---|
| Title | Air Transportation |
| Level | Subsector (3-digit) |
| Edition | NAICS 2022 edition |
Official definition (2022 NAICS)
Industries in the Air Transportation subsector provide air transportation of passengers and/or cargo using aircraft, such as airplanes, helicopters, and spacecraft. The subsector distinguishes scheduled from nonscheduled air transportation. Scheduled air carriers fly regular routes on regular schedules and operate even if flights are only partially loaded. Nonscheduled carriers often operate during nonpeak time slots at busy airports. These establishments have more flexibility with respect to choice of airport, hours of operation, load factors, and similar operational characteristics. Nonscheduled carriers provide chartered air transportation of passengers, cargo, or specialty flying services. Specialty flying services establishments use general purpose aircraft to provide a variety of specialized flying services.
Scenic and sightseeing air transportation and air courier services are not included in this subsector but are included in Subsector 487, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, and in Subsector 492, Couriers and Messengers, respectively. Although these activities may use aircraft, they are different from the activities included in air transportation. Air sightseeing does not usually involve place-to-place transportation; the passenger's flight (e.g., balloon ride, aerial sightseeing) typically starts and ends at the same location. Courier services (individual package or cargo delivery) include more than air transportation; road transportation is usually required to deliver the cargo to the intended recipient.
Where 481 sits in the hierarchy
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing |
| Subsector | 481 | Air Transportation |
Codes under 481
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
4811 | Scheduled Air Transportation |
4812 | Nonscheduled Air Transportation |
Related Subsector codes
482— Rail Transportation483— Water Transportation484— Truck Transportation485— Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation486— Pipeline Transportation487— Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation488— Support Activities for Transportation491— Postal Service492— Couriers and Messengers493— Warehousing and Storage
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Data: official 2022 NAICS structure, descriptions and Census concordances, U.S. Census Bureau — U.S. government works in the public domain (17 U.S.C. §105). Suggested reference, not an official determination.