FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2

FAR 52.247-63 Preference for U.S.-Flag Air Carriers.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This clause requires contractors to use U.S.-flag air carriers for international air transportation of personnel and property when performing work under a U.S. Government-financed contract, to the extent such service is available. If a foreign-flag carrier is used, the contractor must include a statement on vouchers explaining why U.S.-flag service was unavailable or why foreign-flag service was necessary. The clause also must be included in subcontracts that may involve international air transportation.

Applies to: Government contractors and subcontractors performing work under a contract that may involve international air transportation

What it requires

  • Use U.S.-flag air carriers for international air transportation of personnel (and their personal effects) or property, if available.
  • Include a statement on vouchers when a carrier other than a U.S.-flag air carrier is selected for international air transportation, explaining the reasons.
  • Include the substance of this clause, including paragraph (e), in each subcontract or purchase under the contract that may involve international air transportation.

Key terms: International air transportation · United States · U.S.-flag air carrier · Fly America Act · Statement of Unavailability of U.S.-Flag Air Carriers

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

As prescribed in 47.405(a), insert the following clause:

Preference for U.S.-Flag Air Carriers (JAN 2025)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

International air transportation means transportation by air between a place in the United States and a place outside the United States or between two places both of which are outside the United States.

United States means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.

U.S.-flag air carrier means an entity granted authority to provide air transportation in the form of a certificate of public convenience and necessity under 49 U.S.C. 41102.

(b) U.S. Government-financed international air transportation. 49 U.S.C. 40118, Government-financed air transportation (commonly referred to as the Fly America Act), requires that all Federal agencies and Government contractors and subcontractors use U.S.-flag air carriers for U.S. Government-financed international air transportation of personnel (and their personal effects) or property, to the extent that service by those carriers is available. It requires the General Services Administration to issue regulations that, in the absence of satisfactory proof of the necessity for foreign-flag air transportation, disallow expenditures from funds, appropriated or otherwise established for the account of the United States, for international air transportation secured aboard a foreign-flag air carrier if a U.S.-flag air carrier is available to provide such services.

(c) Use of U.S.-flag carriers for international air transportation. If available, the Contractor, in performing work under this contract, shall use U.S.-flag carriers for international air transportation of personnel (and their personal effects) or property.

(d) Statement of unavailability of U.S.-flag air carriers. In the event that the Contractor selects a carrier other than a U.S.-flag air carrier for international air transportation, the Contractor shall include a statement on vouchers involving such transportation essentially as follows:

Statement of Unavailability of U.S.-Flag Air Carriers

International air transportation of persons (and their personal effects) or property by U.S.-flag air carrier was not available or it was necessary to use foreign-flag air carrier service for the following reasons (see section 47.403 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation): [State reasons]:

(End of statement)

(e) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in each subcontract or purchase under this contract that may involve international air transportation.

(End of clause)

Sections it refers to

  • 47.405 Contract clauses.
  • 47.403 Guidelines for implementation of the Fly America Act.

Sections that refer to it

← 52.247-62 Specific Quantities Unknown. · 52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 52

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 52.247-63 Preference for U.S.-Flag Air Carriers · SpendQuery