NACE 51.1 – Passenger Air Transport | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 51.1 covers the commercial transport of passengers by air — including scheduled and charter flights as well as government flights used by public bodies for official travel, delegation flights and official trips. The group also includes the operation of helicopter services for passenger transport.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 51.1 cover?

NACE 51.1 (Passenger air transport) classifies undertakings that carry passengers on scheduled, charter and special air services — relevant in public procurement for official travel, government flights and emergency air services.

Group 51.1 within Section H (Transportation and storage) and Division 51 (Air transport) covers the following typical services:

Public contracting authorities are in particular federal authorities (federal ministries, the federal chancellery), armed forces and defence authorities, emergency services (helicopter rescue) and state airlines and government flight services.

Public Tenders: Activities under NACE 51.1

Passenger air transport is tendered in the public sector for official travel, state flights, search and rescue operations and helicopter emergency medical services — a specialised, security-relevant procurement segment.

Typical types of contract

• Air travel services for public authorities: Framework agreements with airlines for official travel by civil servants and government representatives (business and economy class)
• Government flights and state aircraft: Procurement and operation of government aircraft (e.g. the Flugbereitschaft of the Bundeswehr, the Bundesheer's aviation division)
• Charter flights for delegations and evacuation: Special charters for diplomatic missions, evacuations from crisis regions and humanitarian operations
• Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS): Concessions and operating contracts for air rescue (ADAC, DRF Luftrettung, Austrian Red Cross — Christophorus fleet)
• Ambulance flights: Medical air transport for public authorities and public health insurance funds

Thresholds and procedure types

Air transport service contracts are subject to the EU threshold for services (EUR 221,000 for central government authorities, as of 2024/2025). Security-relevant procurement (military, state security) may be exempted from the scope of the GWB/BVergG (§ 107 GWB, Article 346 TFEU). Open procedures, negotiated procedures and framework agreements with multiple airlines are common.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 51.1

CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be specified in every contract notice on TED, link the NACE classification with tender searches.

Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 51.1 relevant in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

At federal level, federal ministries, the federal chancellery and subordinate authorities are the most frequent contracting authorities for official flights. In Germany, the federal procurement office (BeschA) frequently coordinates framework agreements for official travel flights, while the Bundeswehr's Flight Readiness (FBS) operates state flights. In Austria, the Bundesheer with its aviation division is the main actor for government and military flights. For helicopter rescue, federal states, regional rescue organisations and health insurance funds tender service concessions.

Companies and bidders

Air transport undertakings in the NACE 51.1 area typically have to provide the following evidence of eligibility for public tenders:

• Authorisation: Air Operator Certificate (AOC) under Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, national operating licences
• Technical capacity: Fleet evidence, EASA approvals, safety management systems (SMS)
• Safety evidence: IOSA certification (IATA Operational Safety Audit), staff security clearance
• Economic capacity: Aviation liability insurance (Regulation (EC) No 785/2004), annual turnover

NACE 51.1 in context: Section H and Division 51

NACE 51.1 forms part of Division 51 (Air transport) within transport Section H — a heavily regulated area with specific safety requirements in public procurement.

• NACE H – Transportation and storage: Parent section covering all transport activities
• NACE 51 – Air transport: Division covering passenger and freight air transport
• NACE 51.2 – Freight air transport and space transport: Cargo air transport and space transport
• NACE 52.2 – Support activities for transportation: Airport operation and ground handling

Frequently asked questions about NACE 51.1 and public tenders

Which companies fall under NACE 51.1?
All air transport undertakings whose focus is on the commercial carriage of passengers — from large scheduled airlines through charter providers to helicopter operators and air rescue organisations.

Are government flights subject to mandatory tendering?
In principle, yes, where the entity is a contracting authority within the meaning of public procurement law and the threshold is exceeded. Exceptions apply to procurement in the area of national security and defence (Article 346 TFEU, § 107 GWB). State-owned in-house flight services (own provision) are not subject to mandatory tendering.

How are framework agreements for official travel flights structured?
Typically as framework agreements with one or more airlines, frequently via travel agency service providers (corporate travel agencies) as contractors. CPV code 60410000 is decisive in such tenders. Call-offs are made according to the price lists of the framework agreement.

Are there special requirements for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS)?
Yes. HEMS services are subject not only to general public procurement law but also to the emergency services law of the federal states (e.g. RDG Bavaria, RDG NRW). The tender may take the form of a services concession or a classical service contract — depending on how the operating risk is structured.

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.