When is U.S. certificated air carrier service not available?
A5 – U.S.-certificated air carrier service is not available if one of the following exceptions exists: a. Foreign air carrier service is deemed a necessity when service by a U.S.-certificated air carrier is available, but 1. Cannot provide the air transportation needed; or 2. Will not accomplish the agency’s mission; or 3. The agency determines that use of a foreign air carrier is necessary for medical reasons, including use of foreign air carrier service to reduce the number of connections and possible delays in the transportation of persons in need of medical treatment; or 4. Use of a foreign air carrier is required to avoid an unreasonable risk to the traveler’s safety and is approved by the AO (e.g., terrorist threats). Written approval of foreign air carrier service use based on an unreasonable risk to the traveler’s safety must be provided by the AO on a case by case basis. A travel advisory notice issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the Department of State must
