flag carrier

A flag carrier or de facto flag carrier, refers to:A transportation company, such as a shipping or airline company, that is registered in a given state. Example: "American Airlines, while a private firm, is a U.S. flag carrier."A state-run, state-owned or state-designated transport company or organization, specifically (though not universally required) showing the state flag apparent for public view (state in this context used to mean any principality or country). Example: "Air Canada is its namesake's flag carrier."
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