§ 101-37.405 - Approving travel on Government aircraft.

Policy and practices under which travel on Government aircraft may be approved by the agency are specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

(a) All travel on Government aircraft must have advance authorization by the sponsoring agency in accordance with its travel policies, OMB Circular A-126 and, when applicable, documented on an official travel authorization. Where possible, such travel authorization must be approved by at least one organizational level above that of the person(s) traveling. If review by a higher organizational level is not possible, another appropriate approval is required.

(b) All required use travel must have written approval on a trip-by-trip basis from the agency's senior legal official or the principal deputy, unless:

(1) The President has determined that all travel or travel in specified categories by an agency head is qualified as required use travel, or

(2) The agency head has determined that all travel or travel in specified categories by an officer or employee other than the agency head, is qualified as required use travel.

(i) Any determination by an agency head that travel by an officer or employee of that agency qualifies as required use travel must be in writing and set forth the basis for that determination. In emergency situations an after-the-fact written certification by an agency is permitted.

(ii) An agency head opting to determine that travel by an officer or employee may be required use travel shall establish written standards for determining when required use travel is permitted. Such travel shall not be permitted unless the travel is in conformance with the written standards.

(c) All travel by senior Federal officials, family members of senior Federal officials, and non-Federal travelers that is not to meet mission requirements or required use travel must be authorized in advance and in writing.

(1) Such authorization must be approved on a trip-by-trip basis and must be signed by the agency's senior legal official or the principal deputy, or be in conformance with an agency review and approval system that has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In emergency situations, an after-the-fact written certification by an agency is permitted.

(2) In addition to the provisions of this subpart, Federal employees on official travel shall be subject to all other applicable travel rules and regulations. Travel by such individuals that is not official travel, for purposes of this subpart, is subject to the reimbursement requirements in § 101-37.403(c) of this subpart for space available travel.