Analysis
NAICS 481112 is the 2022 national industry for scheduled freight air transportation, part of 48111 (Scheduled Air Transportation). Census lists 7 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 375 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 13,454 people at an average annual payroll of $131,973 per employee (94th percentile of national industries). 50% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 2nd of the 2 codes at this level within Scheduled Air Transportation, with 16.8% of them.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include air cargo carriers (except air couriers), scheduled, airmail carriers, scheduled, cargo carriers, air, scheduled and freight carriers (except air couriers), air, scheduled, among 7 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 492110, 481212 and 481111. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, providing air courier services are classified in 492110 (Couriers and Express Delivery Services) instead.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing air transportation of cargo without transporting passengers over regular routes and on regular schedules. Establishments in this industry operate flights even if partially loaded. Establishments primarily engaged in providing scheduled air transportation of mail on a contract basis are included in this industry.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing air courier services | 492110 Couriers and Express Delivery Services |
| Providing air transportation of cargo with no regular routes and regular schedules | 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation |
| Providing air transportation of passengers or passengers and cargo over regular routes and on regular schedules | 481111 Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
Index entries (7)
- Air cargo carriers (except air couriers), scheduled
- Airmail carriers, scheduled
- Cargo carriers, air, scheduled
- Freight carriers (except air couriers), air, scheduled
- Helicopter freight carriers, scheduled
- Scheduled air freight carriers
- Scheduled air freight transportation