### Question
How does the law define essential airport facility?


### Answer
Under *49 U.S.C. § 41744*, **essential airport facility** is defined as:

> a large hub airport (as defined in section 41731) in the contiguous 48 States at which one air carrier has more than 60 percent of the total annual enplanements at that airport

#### Citation:
  - *49 U.S.C. § 41744*
  - Heading: **SUBTITLE VII-AVIATION PROGRAMS > PART A-AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY > subpart ii-economic regulation > CHAPTER 417-OPERATIONS OF CARRIERS > SUBCHAPTER II-SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE**

