{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/5.1-89.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/5.1-89.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/5.1-89.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/5.1-89.html"}],"law_id":66420,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66420,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-89","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 56-142; 1952, c. 597; 1970, c. 708; 1979, c. 272; 1980, c. 721.","full_text":"Whenever used in this chapter unless expressly stated otherwise:\n\na\n\nThe term “person” means any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association or joint-stock association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.b\n\nThe term “aircraft” means any contrivance, except a contrivance operating twenty-four inches or less above ground or water level, now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the airspace in the transportation of passengers, property or mail.c\n\nThe term “common carrier by aircraft” means any person who undertakes, whether directly or by a lease or any other arrangement, to transport passengers, property for the general public, or mail by aircrafts for compensation (wholly within the airspace of the Commonwealth), whether over regular or irregular routes, including such aircraft operations of carriers by rail, water or motor vehicle and of express or forwarding companies.d\n\nThe term “restricted common carrier by aircraft” means any person who undertakes, whether directly or by lease or other arrangement, to transport passengers or property of any restricted class or classes by aircraft for compensation whether over regular or irregular routes.e\n\n[Repealed.]f\n\nThe term “air carrier” includes a common carrier by aircraft, a restricted common carrier by aircraft, and a contract carrier by aircraft.g\n\nThe term “broker” means any person not included in the term air carrier and not a bona fide employee or agent of any such carrier, who, as principal or agent, sells or offers for sale any transportation subject to this chapter, or negotiates for, or holds himself out by solicitation, advertisement, or otherwise as one who sells, provides, furnishes, contracts, or arranges for such transportation.h\n\nThe “services” and “transportation” to which this chapter applies include all aircraft operated by, for, or in the interest of, any air carrier irrespective of ownership or contract, express or implied, together with all facilities and property operated or controlled by any such carrier or carriers and used in the transportation of passengers, property or mail or in the performance of any service in connection therewith.i\n\nThe term “certificate” means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the State Corporation Commission to common carriers by aircraft and restricted common carriers by aircraft under this chapter.j\n\n[Repealed.]k\n\nThe term “airport” means a landing area used regularly by aircraft for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the public for use.l\n\nThe term “landing area” means any locality, either of land or water, including airports and intermediate landing fields, which is used, or intended to be used, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or repair of aircraft, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the public for such use.m\n\nThe term “airspace” means all airspace above the lands and waters within the boundary of this Commonwealth.n\n\nFor the purposes of this chapter, “Commission” means the State Corporation Commission.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":241101,"text":"Whenever used in this chapter unless expressly stated otherwise:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"a"},"1":{"id":241102,"text":"The term “person” means any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association or joint-stock association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"b"},"2":{"id":241103,"text":"The term “aircraft” means any contrivance, except a contrivance operating twenty-four inches or less above ground or water level, now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the airspace in the transportation of passengers, property or mail.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"c"},"3":{"id":241104,"text":"The term “common carrier by aircraft” means any person who undertakes, whether directly or by a lease or any other arrangement, to transport passengers, property for the general public, or mail by aircrafts for compensation (wholly within the airspace of the Commonwealth), whether over regular or irregular routes, including such aircraft operations of carriers by rail, water or motor vehicle and of express or forwarding companies.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"d"},"4":{"id":241105,"text":"The term “restricted common carrier by aircraft” means any person who undertakes, whether directly or by lease or other arrangement, to transport passengers or property of any restricted class or classes by aircraft for compensation whether over regular or irregular routes.","type":"section","prefixes":["d"],"prefix":"d","entire_prefix":"d","prefix_anchor":"d","level":1,"prior_prefix":"c","next_prefix":"e"},"5":{"id":241106,"text":"[Repealed.]","type":"section","prefixes":["e"],"prefix":"e","entire_prefix":"e","prefix_anchor":"e","level":1,"prior_prefix":"d","next_prefix":"f"},"6":{"id":241107,"text":"The term “air carrier” includes a common carrier by aircraft, a restricted common carrier by aircraft, and a contract carrier by aircraft.","type":"section","prefixes":["f"],"prefix":"f","entire_prefix":"f","prefix_anchor":"f","level":1,"prior_prefix":"e","next_prefix":"g"},"7":{"id":241108,"text":"The term “broker” means any person not included in the term air carrier and not a bona fide employee or agent of any such carrier, who, as principal or agent, sells or offers for sale any transportation subject to this chapter, or negotiates for, or holds himself out by solicitation, advertisement, or otherwise as one who sells, provides, furnishes, contracts, or arranges for such transportation.","type":"section","prefixes":["g"],"prefix":"g","entire_prefix":"g","prefix_anchor":"g","level":1,"prior_prefix":"f","next_prefix":"h"},"8":{"id":241109,"text":"The “services” and “transportation” to which this chapter applies include all aircraft operated by, for, or in the interest of, any air carrier irrespective of ownership or contract, express or implied, together with all facilities and property operated or controlled by any such carrier or carriers and used in the transportation of passengers, property or mail or in the performance of any service in connection therewith.","type":"section","prefixes":["h"],"prefix":"h","entire_prefix":"h","prefix_anchor":"h","level":1,"prior_prefix":"g","next_prefix":"i"},"9":{"id":241110,"text":"The term “certificate” means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the State Corporation Commission to common carriers by aircraft and restricted common carriers by aircraft under this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["i"],"prefix":"i","entire_prefix":"i","prefix_anchor":"i","level":1,"prior_prefix":"h","next_prefix":"j"},"10":{"id":241111,"text":"[Repealed.]","type":"section","prefixes":["j"],"prefix":"j","entire_prefix":"j","prefix_anchor":"j","level":1,"prior_prefix":"i","next_prefix":"k"},"11":{"id":241112,"text":"The term “airport” means a landing area used regularly by aircraft for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the public for use.","type":"section","prefixes":["k"],"prefix":"k","entire_prefix":"k","prefix_anchor":"k","level":1,"prior_prefix":"j","next_prefix":"l"},"12":{"id":241113,"text":"The term “landing area” means any locality, either of land or water, including airports and intermediate landing fields, which is used, or intended to be used, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or repair of aircraft, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the public for such use.","type":"section","prefixes":["l"],"prefix":"l","entire_prefix":"l","prefix_anchor":"l","level":1,"prior_prefix":"k","next_prefix":"m"},"13":{"id":241114,"text":"The term “airspace” means all airspace above the lands and waters within the boundary of this Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["m"],"prefix":"m","entire_prefix":"m","prefix_anchor":"m","level":1,"prior_prefix":"l","next_prefix":"n"},"14":{"id":241115,"text":"For the purposes of this chapter, “Commission” means the State Corporation Commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["n"],"prefix":"n","entire_prefix":"n","prefix_anchor":"n","level":1,"prior_prefix":"m"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15180,"edition_id":1,"name":"In General","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13309,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:45","permalink":{"id":233967,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15180,"identifier":"1","token":"5.1\/9\/1","url":"\/5.1\/9\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13309,"edition_id":1,"name":"Air Carriers","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13105,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","permalink":{"id":233965,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13309,"identifier":"9","token":"5.1\/9","url":"\/5.1\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13105,"edition_id":1,"name":"Aviation","identifier":"5.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":233299,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13105,"identifier":"5.1","token":"5.1","url":"\/5.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66420,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-89","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/5.1-89\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-89","metadata":false},{"id":60056,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-90","catch_line":"Exempted aircraft","url":"\/5.1-90\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-90","metadata":false},{"id":87374,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-90.1","catch_line":"Incidental transportation of certain passengers and property by motor vehicle","url":"\/5.1-90.1\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-90.1","metadata":false},{"id":63479,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-91","catch_line":"Air carriers to comply with chapter; subject to regulation by Commission","url":"\/5.1-91\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-91","metadata":false},{"id":57806,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-92","catch_line":"Regulation by Commission; reports; prevention of discrimination","url":"\/5.1-92\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-92","metadata":false},{"id":69075,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-93","catch_line":"Regulation of brokers","url":"\/5.1-93\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-93","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":60056,"structure_id":15180,"section_number":"5.1-90","catch_line":"Exempted aircraft","url":"\/5.1-90\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-90","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/5.1-89\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 597; in 1970, chapter 708; in 1979, chapter 272; in 1980, chapter 721.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56783,"section_number":"5.1-1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2030) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/5.1-1\/"},{"id":57629,"section_number":"5.1-1.4","catch_line":"Enforcement of laws, rules and regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/5.1-1.4\/"},{"id":69382,"section_number":"5.1-1.6","catch_line":"Further powers and duties of Department; State Corporation Commission to administer Chapter 9","order_by":null,"url":"\/5.1-1.6\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":233969,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66420,"identifier":"5.1-89","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-89","url":"\/5.1-89\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/5.1-89\/","token":"5.1\/9\/1\/5.1-89","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 5.1-89","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Whenever used in this chapter unless expressly stated otherwise:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> The term “person<\/span>” means any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association or joint-stock association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> The term “aircraft<\/span>” means any contrivance, except a contrivance operating twenty-four inches or less above ground or water level, now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the airspace<\/span> in the transportation of passengers, property or mail. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> The term “common carrier by aircraft<\/span>” means any person<\/span> who undertakes, whether directly or by a lease or any other arrangement, to transport passengers, property for the general public, or mail by aircrafts<\/span> for compensation (wholly within the airspace<\/span> of the Commonwealth), whether over regular or irregular routes, including such aircraft operations of carriers by rail, water or motor vehicle and of express or forwarding companies. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

d.<\/span> The term “restricted common carrier by aircraft<\/span><\/span>” means any person<\/span> who undertakes, whether directly or by lease or other arrangement, to transport passengers or property of any restricted class or classes by aircraft for compensation whether over regular or irregular routes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

e.<\/span> [Repealed.] <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

f.<\/span> The term “air carrier<\/span>” includes a common carrier by aircraft<\/span>, a restricted common carrier by aircraft<\/span><\/span>, and a contract carrier by aircraft<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

g.<\/span> The term “broker<\/span>” means any person<\/span> not included in the term air carrier<\/span> and not a bona fide employee or agent of any such carrier, who, as principal or agent, sells or offers for sale any transportation subject to this chapter, or negotiates for, or holds himself out by solicitation, advertisement, or otherwise as one who sells, provides, furnishes, contracts<\/span>, or arranges for such transportation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

h.<\/span> The “services” and “transportation” to which this chapter applies include all aircraft operated by, for, or in the interest of, any air carrier<\/span> irrespective of ownership or contract, express or implied, together with all facilities and property operated or controlled by any such carrier or carriers and used in the transportation of passengers, property or mail or in the performance of any service in connection therewith. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

i.<\/span> The term “certificate<\/span>” means a certificate<\/span> of public convenience and necessity issued by the State Corporation Commission<\/span> to common carriers by aircraft and restricted common carriers by aircraft under this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

j.<\/span> [Repealed.] <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

k.<\/span> The term “airport<\/span>” means a landing area<\/span> used regularly by aircraft for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the public for use. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

l.<\/span> The term “landing area<\/span>” means any locality, either of land or water, including airports<\/span> and intermediate landing fields<\/span>, which is used, or intended to be used, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or repair of aircraft, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the public for such use. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

m.<\/span> The term “airspace<\/span>” means all airspace<\/span> above the lands and waters within the boundary of this Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

n.<\/span> For the purposes of this chapter, “Commission<\/span>” means the State Corporation Commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 5.1-89)\n\nWhenever used in this chapter unless expressly stated otherwise:\n\na. The term “person” means any individual, firm, copartnership,\ncorporation, company, association or joint-stock association, and includes any\ntrustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.\n\nb. The term “aircraft” means any contrivance, except a contrivance\noperating twenty-four inches or less above ground or water level, now known or\nhereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the\nairspace in the transportation of passengers, property or mail.\n\nc. The term “common carrier by aircraft” means any person who\nundertakes, whether directly or by a lease or any other arrangement, to\ntransport passengers, property for the general public, or mail by aircrafts for\ncompensation (wholly within the airspace of the Commonwealth), whether over\nregular or irregular routes, including such aircraft operations of carriers by\nrail, water or motor vehicle and of express or forwarding companies.\n\nd. The term “restricted common carrier by aircraft” means any person\nwho undertakes, whether directly or by lease or other arrangement, to transport\npassengers or property of any restricted class or classes by aircraft for\ncompensation whether over regular or irregular routes.\n\ne. [Repealed.]\n\nf. The term “air carrier” includes a common carrier by aircraft, a\nrestricted common carrier by aircraft, and a contract carrier by aircraft.\n\ng. The term “broker” means any person not included in the term air\ncarrier and not a bona fide employee or agent of any such carrier, who, as\nprincipal or agent, sells or offers for sale any transportation subject to this\nchapter, or negotiates for, or holds himself out by solicitation, advertisement,\nor otherwise as one who sells, provides, furnishes, contracts, or arranges for\nsuch transportation.\n\nh. The “services” and “transportation” to which this\nchapter applies include all aircraft operated by, for, or in the interest of,\nany air carrier irrespective of ownership or contract, express or implied,\ntogether with all facilities and property operated or controlled by any such\ncarrier or carriers and used in the transportation of passengers, property or\nmail or in the performance of any service in connection therewith.\n\ni. The term “certificate” means a certificate of public convenience\nand necessity issued by the State Corporation Commission to common carriers by\naircraft and restricted common carriers by aircraft under this chapter.\n\nj. [Repealed.]\n\nk. The term “airport” means a landing area used regularly by\naircraft for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the\npublic for use.\n\nl. The term “landing area” means any locality, either of land or\nwater, including airports and intermediate landing fields, which is used, or\nintended to be used, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, whether or not\nfacilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or repair of aircraft, or\nfor receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and open to the public for\nsuch use.\n\nm. The term “airspace” means all airspace above the lands and waters\nwithin the boundary of this Commonwealth.\n\nn. For the purposes of this chapter, “Commission” means the State\nCorporation Commission.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 56-142; 1952, c. 597; 1970, c. 708; 1979, c. 272; 1980,\nc. 721.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}