Air star routes

§ 6303. Air star routes (a) The Postmaster General may contract for the transportation of any class of mail by aircraft upon star routes— (1) whenever he finds it to be in the public interest because of the nature of the terrain or the impracticability or inadequacy of surface transportation; and (2) where the cost is reasonably compatible with the service to be performed. (b) Prior to advertising for bids for the transportation of mail by aircraft under this section, the Postmaster General shall obtain from the Civil Aeronautics Board a certification that the proposed route does not conflict with the development of air transportation as contemplated under sections 1301–1542 of title 49. Upon receipt of a request from the Postmaster General for certification, the Board shall— (1) promptly publish in the Federal Register and send to such persons as the Board by regulation determines, a notice describing the proposed air star route; (2) thereafter afford interested persons a reasonable opportunity to submit written data, views, or arguments with or without the opportunity to present them orally; 74 Stat. 694 (3) consider all relevant matter presented; and (4) grant, not less than thirty days after notice, the requested certification upon finding that the proposed route does not conflict with the development of air transportation as contemplated under sections 1301–1542 of title 49. The Board may grant the requested certification upon less notice if it for good cause finds that thirty days advance notice is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and incorporates this finding and a brief statement of the reasons therefor in its order granting the certification. (c) The Postmaster General may not consider a bid for a contract under this section unless the bidder is a resident of or qualified to do business as a common carrier in a State within which one or more points to be served under the proposed contract are located. As used in this subsection, “State” includes the Territory of Hawaii and the District of Columbia. (d) The Postmaster General shall cancel a contract made under this section upon the issuance by the Board of an authorization under sections 1371–1386 of title 49 to an air carrier to engage in the transportation of mail by aircraft between any of the points named in the contract. (e) All laws and regulations governing star routes not in conflict with this section are applicable to contracts made under the authority of this section. (f) Sections 1371–1376, 1380, 1381, and 1385 of title 49 do not apply to the transportation of mail under this section.