Certificated carrier means a direct air carrier holding authority to provide air transportation granted by the Department in the form of a certificate of public convenience and necessity under 49 U.S.C. 41102 (Transportation) or an all-cargo air transportation certificate to perform all-cargo air transportation under 49 U.S.C. 41103.

Eligible place means a place in the United States that meets the specified criteria outlined in 49 U.S.C. Chapter 417.

Essential air service is that air transportation which the Department has found to be essential under Subchapter II of Chapter 417 of 49 U.S.C. Subtitle VII.

FAA-designated hub means any airport serving a small, medium, or large air traffic hub listed in the Department of Transportation publication, Airport Activity Statistics of Certificated Route Carriers.

United States includes the several States, the District of Columbia, and the several territories and possessions of the United States. State includes any of the individual entities comprising the United States.