(a) The commission shall, subject to subsections (b) and (d) of this section and Section 37-9-18, issue a certificate or permit as applied for authorizing the whole or any part of the operation covered by an application for a certificate or permit, if it finds that the applicant is fit, willing and able to perform such operation properly and to conform to the provisions of this chapter and the rules, regulations and requirements of the commission hereunder, and that such operation, and the performance thereof by the applicant, is required by public convenience and necessity or for the public interest, as the case may be, and is consistent with the declaration of policy declared in Section 37-9-5; otherwise, such application shall be denied. If the commission finds that the public convenience and necessity or the public interest, as the case may be, requires operation of the applicant as a common or contract carrier by aircraft only for a limited period or periods, it shall issue a certificate or permit only for such period or periods.

(b) No certificate or permit shall be issued under this chapter to any person who is not a citizen of the United States.

(c) No certificate or permit shall be issued to any person to operate as an air carrier unless the applicant submits evidence, reasonably satisfactory to the commission, showing that it will comply with the provisions of the laws of the United States and the lawful rules, regulations and orders thereunder, respecting safety of operations and the provisions of the Alabama Aeronautics Department Act, or any act amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, with respect to the right to use such airports, air lanes and aircraft, as may be necessary in order to properly conduct the proposed operation and observe proper standards of safety in the operation or navigation of aircraft.

(d) To enable the provision of service for which there is an immediate and urgent need to a point or points or within a territory having no air carrier service capable of meeting such need, the commission may, in its discretion and without hearings or other proceedings, grant temporary authority for such service by a common carrier or a contract carrier by aircraft, as the case may be. Such temporary authority, unless suspended or revoked for good cause shall be valid for such time as the commission shall specify, but for not more than an aggregate of 120 days, and shall in no event create a presumption that corresponding permanent authority will be granted thereafter. Transportation services rendered under such temporary authority shall be subject to all applicable provisions of this chapter and to the rules, regulations and requirements of the commission thereunder.