NACE 51.2 – Freight Air Transport and Space Transport | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 51.2 covers the commercial transport of goods by air and space transport services. This includes air freight services for public authorities and military logistics, the transport of postal freight by air and commercial space transport services for state space programmes (ESA, national space agencies).

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

What does NACE 51.2 cover?

NACE 51.2 (Freight air transport and space transport) classifies undertakings that transport goods, freight and cargo by air and in space — a segment relevant in the public sector primarily for defence, humanitarian aid and space activities.

Group 51.2 within Section H (Transportation and storage) and Division 51 (Air transport) is broken down into two classes:

Public contracting authorities are defence ministries and armed forces, customs and border authorities, space agencies (ESA, DLR, ALR), civil protection authorities (THW, BBK) and postal authorities for airmail.

Public Tenders: Activities under NACE 51.2

Air freight services and space transport are tendered in the public sector for military logistics, humanitarian aid goods, time-critical official goods and state space programmes.

Typical types of contract

• Military air freight logistics: Transport of equipment, ammunition and supplies for the Bundeswehr/Bundesheer by charter freight aircraft or scheduled air freight
• Humanitarian air freight: Transport of aid goods by public authorities (BMEIA, Federal Foreign Office, UNHCR-commissioned bodies) to crisis regions
• Express cargo and time-critical goods: Framework agreements for urgent official consignments (medicines, spare parts, security materials) by air freight
• Airmail transport: Cross-border carriage of letters and parcels as part of universal postal services
• Space transport contracts: ESA contracts for satellite launches, commercial launch vehicle services (Ariane, Vega), resupply flights to the ISS

Thresholds and procedure types

Air freight contracts are subject to the EU threshold for services. Defence procurement may be awarded under Directive 2009/81/EC (procurement in the defence and security sector) or under the exceptions in Article 346 TFEU. Space transport contracts are frequently awarded under the negotiated procedure or as a competitive dialogue — owing to the high technical complexity and the limited bidder field.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 51.2

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 51.2 relevant in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

Defence ministries are the highest-volume public contracting authorities in air freight. In Germany, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) is responsible for procuring air freight capacity. In Austria, the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMLV) coordinates the corresponding contracts. For civil air freight, customs authorities (federal customs office) and the Federal Criminal Police Office (for special transport) are relevant. Space contracts are awarded centrally via ESA (European Space Agency) and national agencies such as DLR.

Companies and bidders

Air freight undertakings in the NACE 51.2 area typically have to provide the following evidence of eligibility for public tenders:

• Authorisation: Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for freight aviation, cargo-specific operating licences (EASA Part-CAT)
• Security evidence: Known consignor / regulated agent status under EU Aviation Security Regulation (EC) No 300/2008
• Technical capacity: Cargo aircraft fleet (tonnage, route networks), cold-chain certification (GDP) for pharmaceutical goods
• Space-specific: ESA qualification evidence, reliability analyses (FMEA), export control compliance (ITAR, EAR)

NACE 51.2 in context: Section H and Division 51

NACE 51.2 forms part of Division 51 (Air transport) within transport Section H — a segment of high security and technological importance in European procurement.

• NACE H – Transportation and storage: Parent section covering all transport activities
• NACE 51 – Air transport: Division covering passenger and freight air transport
• NACE 51.1 – Passenger air transport: Official travel and government flights
• NACE 52.2 – Support activities for transportation: Airport operation and ground handling for air freight

Frequently asked questions about NACE 51.2 and public tenders

Which companies fall under NACE 51.2?
All air transport undertakings whose focus is on the commercial carriage of goods by air — from classical air freight carriers (Lufthansa Cargo, Austrian Airlines Cargo) through express delivery operators with an air freight component, to space companies (Arianespace, SpaceX for ESA contracts).

Are defence procurements in the air freight area subject to EU-wide tendering?
In principle, defence procurement is also subject to public procurement law, but under the defence and security procurement directive (2009/81/EC). Contracts with a direct bearing on national security may be exempted under Article 346 TFEU — this is to be interpreted narrowly (ECJ case law).

How are ESA contracts for space transport awarded?
ESA follows its own procurement rules (ESA/REG/001, Rev. 5 — ESA Procurement Regulations), which are based on the "fair return" principle (geographical returns) and on transparency. National space agencies such as DLR or FFG (Austria) facilitate and support the participation of national undertakings in ESA tenders.

What is a regulated agent in the context of air freight procurement?
A regulated agent is an undertaking that carries out security controls on air freight on behalf of an air transport undertaking and is recognised by the aviation security authority. In public freight contracts, contracting authorities frequently require evidence of this recognition as an access condition.

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