Analysis
NAICS 48121 is the 2022 NAICS industry for nonscheduled air transportation, part of 4812 (Nonscheduled Air Transportation). Census lists 20 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 2,512 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 72,236 people at an average annual payroll of $120,746 per employee (91st percentile of national industries). 60% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 14% and employment rose 72%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 12 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 11511, 11531, 48111 and 48799. 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.
Across its national industries Census lists 20 index entries; typical ones are air passenger carriers, nonscheduled, air cargo carriers (except air couriers), nonscheduled and aircraft charter services (i.e., general purpose aircraft….
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 481211 (Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation) with 1,631.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) providing air transportation of passengers and/or cargo with no regular routes and regular schedules or (2) providing specialty flying services with no regular routes and regular schedules using general purpose aircraft. These establishments have more flexibility with respect to choice of airports, hours of operation, load factors, and similar operational characteristics.
Illustrative Examples:
Air taxi services Nonscheduled air freight transportation services Aircraft charter services Nonscheduled air passenger transportation services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Crop dusting using specialized aircraft | 11511 Support Activities for Crop Production |
| Fighting forest fires using specialized water bombers | 11531 Support Activities for Forestry |
| Providing air transportation of passengers and/or cargo over regular routes and on regular schedules | 48111 Scheduled Air Transportation |
| Providing specialized air sightseeing services | 48799 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other |
| Aerial gathering of geophysical data | 54136 Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services |
| Providing aerial and/or other surveying and mapping services | 54137 Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services |
| Providing air ambulance services using specialized equipment | 62191 Ambulance Services |
| Operating specialized flying schools, including all training for commercial pilots | 61151 Technical and Trade Schools |
| Operating recreational aviation clubs | 71399 All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries |
| Operating advocacy aviation clubs | 81331 Social Advocacy Organizations |
| Providing air courier services | 49211 Couriers and Express Delivery Services |
| Independent air pilot services (except owner-operators) | 48819 Other Support Activities for Air Transportation |
Index entries (20)
- Air passenger carriers, nonscheduled
- Air cargo carriers (except air couriers), nonscheduled
- Aircraft charter services (i.e., general purpose aircraft used for a variety of specialty air and flying services)