Service for the transportation of mail by air between points within the state of Alaska is generally not subject to Supply Management contracts, and therefore the Supplying Principles and Practices do not apply. Rather, a statutory scheme prescribes which air carriers receive tender of mail and at what rates, which are set by the Department of Transportation, the air carriers will be paid. See 39 U.S.C. 5402(f)-(s). However, when Alaska air transportation is subject to a contract with the Postal Service, the Supplying Principles and Practices apply.
Contracting for air transportation of mail between a point in the United States and a point in a foreign country is subject to additional statutory requirements that affect both process and priority of carriers. See 39 U.S.C. 5402(b)-(d). When contracting for air transportation of mail between two points in foreign countries, 49 U.S.C. 41904 applies.
