What is the primary statute governing air carrier service in the United States?

The primary statute governing air carrier service in the United States is the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. This significant piece of legislation aimed to remove government control over fares, routes, and market entry of new airlines, thereby fostering competition within the airline industry. By deregulating the industry, it allowed airlines greater flexibility to make business decisions and respond more effectively to market demands, which helped to increase efficiency and innovation in air travel.

The implementation of the Airline Deregulation Act resulted in changes that not only impacted pricing and service quality for consumers but also transformed how airlines operated. It also led to increased competition, which in turn led to lower fares and more options for consumers.

The other statutes listed have different focuses; for example, the Federal Aviation Act primarily deals with the overall regulation of civil aviation and safety standards, while the Aviation Safety Regulation Act centers more on safety measures, and the Commercial Aviation Reform Act addresses other aspects of the aviation industry. However, none encompass the broad regulatory framework for air carrier service like the Airline Deregulation Act does.