Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

NAICS 481211 - Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation encompasses commercial aviation services involving passenger transportation through chartered flights not operating on established routes or schedules. This category includes specialized air charter services utilizing various aircraft types to transport personnel, equipment, and cargo for government agencies, scientific research, emergency response, and resource management missions. Chartered flights are typically customized to meet specific operational requirements and may involve complex logistical planning and equipment transport.

Federal contract awards in this NAICS category demonstrate diverse aviation service requirements, with contract values ranging from approximately $5,000 to $1,150,000 and performance periods spanning several months to multiple years. Frequent awardees include small businesses specializing in helicopter and fixed-wing aviation services such as 40-Mile Air, Chena River Aviation, Bering Air, and Inflight Medical Services International. The Department of the Interior emerges as the predominant funding agency, with significant contracts supporting national parks, wildlife management, firefighting, and scientific research across Alaska and the western United States. Most awards utilize firm fixed-price contracts, with many set aside for small businesses. Typical missions include wildlife surveys, stream gauge maintenance, fire suppression, search and rescue, and personnel/cargo transportation in remote environments.

Recent federal contract opportunities illustrate the breadth of aviation services sought by government agencies, including air charter transportation for military personnel, medical evacuation services, helicopter support for invasive species management, and specialized flights supporting scientific research. The United States Transportation Command, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior have posted solicitations requesting various aviation capabilities. Performance locations span multiple states, with significant focus on Alaska, Hawaii, and western continental United States. Opportunities typically involve complex technical requirements, including specific aircraft configurations, crew qualifications, and mission-specific capabilities such as landing on unimproved surfaces, conducting wildlife surveys, or supporting emergency response operations.