§37-9-20. Certificates for common carriers and permits for contract carriers - Contents; terms, conditions and limitations; effective date; duration; charter flights; emergency landings, etc.

(a) Each certificate issued under this chapter shall specify the points between which, or areas within which the person is authorized to engage in operations as a common carrier by aircraft, the services to be rendered and, in the case of carriage of goods, the commodity or commodities authorized to be transported. There shall be attached to the exercise of the privileges granted by such certificate, or amendment thereto, such reasonable terms, conditions and limitations as the public interest may require; except, that no term, condition or limitation shall restrict the right of the common carrier by aircraft to add to or change schedules, equipment, accommodations and facilities for performing the authorized transportation and service as the development of the business and the demands of the public shall require. Any common carrier by aircraft transporting passengers under a certificate issued by the commission may make charter trips or perform any other special service without regard to the points named in its certificate, under regulations prescribed by the commission. In making such trips and performing such service, a common carrier by aircraft shall not be considered a contract carrier by aircraft or subject to the provisions of this chapter relating to contract carriers by aircraft.

(b) Each permit issued under this chapter shall specify the points between which, or area within which, operation as a contract carrier by aircraft is to be permitted, the nature of the traffic and the scope of the business to be authorized thereby, and, in the case of the carriage of goods, the commodity or commodities authorized to be transported. There shall be attached to the exercise of the privileges granted by such permit, or amendment thereto, such reasonable terms, conditions and limitations as the public interest may require; except, that no term, condition or limitation shall restrict the right of the common carrier by aircraft to change or add contracts within the scope of the permit or to change or add to its equipment or facilities for performing the authorized operation as the public interest may require; but such permit shall not authorize operation as a common carrier by aircraft.

(c) Each certificate or permit shall be effective from the date specified therein and shall continue in effect until suspended or revoked as hereinafter provided or until the commission shall certify that operation thereunder has ceased or, if issued for a limited period of time under subsection (d) of Section 37-9-19, shall continue in effect until the expiration thereof, unless, prior to the date of expiration, such certificate or permit shall be modified, suspended or revoked as provided herein, or the commission shall certify that operations thereunder have ceased; provided, that if any service authorized by a certificate or permit is not inaugurated within such period, not less than 90 days after the date of the authorization as shall be fixed by the commission or, if for a period of 90 days or such other greater period as may be designated by the commission any such service is not operated, the commission may, by order entered after notice and opportunity for hearing, direct that such certificate or permit shall thereupon cease to be effective to the extent of such service.

(d) No aircraft shall be deemed to have violated any term, condition or limitation of its certificate or permit, as the case may be, by landing or taking-off in an emergency at a point not carried in its certificate or permit or by operating during an emergency between terminal and intermediate points other than those specified in its certificate or permit.

(Acts 1945, No. 269, p. 414, §10.)