A Competition Plan is a document required by the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), codified at 49 U.S.C. § 47106(f). It is designed to ensure that large and medium hub airports receiving federal funding are making reasonable efforts to provide access to all carriers, fostering competition and preventing unjust discrimination in the allocation of gates and facilities.

Airports classified as medium or large hubs that are also served by more than one air carrier and have one or two dominant carriers controlling more than 50% of the enplanements must prepare and maintain a Competition Plan. This is a condition for approval of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant applications and authorization of Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs).

A Competition Plan Update must be submitted to the FAA within 60 days of the execution of a new airport Master Use and Lease Agreement, or the execution of a significant amendment to an existing Master Use and Lease Agreement. Additionally, a Competition Plan Update must be submitted if the airport reports to the Department of Transportation that it denied access to a carrier looking to start service at the airport, or denied an existing carrier the ability to expand service.