Analysis
NAICS 488190 is the 2022 national industry for other support activities for air transportation, part of 48819 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation). Census lists 10 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 4,237 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 103,177 people at an average annual payroll of $72,861 per employee (56th percentile of national industries). 52% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 6 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 424720, 561720, 488111 and 488119. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include aircraft ferrying services, aircraft inspection services, aircraft maintenance and repair services (except factory… and aircraft testing services, among 10 in all.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 8% and employment rose 18%. 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.
For example, wholesaling fuel at airports are classified in 424720 (Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals)) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized services for air transportation (except air traffic control and other airport operations).
Illustrative Examples:
Aircraft maintenance and repair services (except factory conversions, overhauls, rebuilding) Aircraft passenger screening security services Aircraft testing services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Wholesaling fuel at airports | 424720 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) |
| Providing aircraft janitorial services | 561720 Janitorial Services |
| Providing air traffic control (except military) services | 488111 Air Traffic Control |
| Providing airport operations (except air traffic control) | 488119 Other Airport Operations |
| Providing factory conversion, overhaul, and rebuilding of aircraft | 33641 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing |
| Providing food services to airlines on a contractual arrangement (i.e., food service contractors) | 722310 Food Service Contractors |
Index entries (10)
- Aircraft ferrying services
- Aircraft inspection services
- Aircraft maintenance and repair services (except factory conversion, factory overhaul, factory rebuilding)
- Aircraft testing services
- Airport passenger screening security services
- Fueling aircraft on a contract or fee basis
- Independent pilot, air (except owner-operators)
- Inspection services, aircraft
- Maintenance and repair services, aircraft (except factory conversion, factory overhaul, factory rebuilding)
- Testing services, aircraft