US Senate Approves New FAA Administrator

Image: FAA building in Washington, DC. (photo via P_Wei/iStock/Unreleased)

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Wed October 25, 2023

The United States Senate voted 98-0 on Tuesday to approve President Joe Biden’s nominee for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) administrator.

According to Reuters.com, President Biden’s nominee, Michael Whitaker, was endorsed unanimously last week by members of the Senate Commerce Committee and could be on the job as administrator as early as Wednesday.

The FAA has been without a Senate-confirmed administrator since March 2022, when Stephen Dickson stepped down. Whitaker is a former deputy FAA administrator who served in both the private and public sectors of the air travel industry.

During the confirmation process, Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said Whitaker will be tasked with building a “strong safety culture, attract new talent and keep pace with technology transformation.”

Whitaker takes over an FAA job that is filled with challenges, including an air traffic controller shortage, aging technology and a series of close calls between planes.

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued a statement on the confirmation of Whitaker:

“Mike Whitaker is a capable and tested aviation leader who will bring critical expertise to the FAA. The United States should have an air travel system that is not only safe, but also modern and efficient. Establishing permanent leadership at the FAA is a key step toward alleviating strain on the current system, meeting increasing air traveler demand and building an improved air travel experience for the future.

“U.S. Travel applauds the bipartisan confirmation and urges the Senate to quickly pass a long-term FAA reauthorization bill before the agency’s funding expires on December 31.”

In addition, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released the following statement on Whitaker:

“It is essential for the FAA to have a permanent, qualified leader and we commend the United States Senate for unanimously approving Michael Whitaker’s nomination with robust bipartisan support.”

“Mr. Whitaker is the right person at the right time to lead the FAA into the next generation of aviation. His sterling qualifications in the industry and robust experience as a former FAA Deputy Administrator will be invaluable as the FAA modernizes our nation’s aviation system and maintains the highest levels of safety across the industry. We congratulate Mr. Whitaker on his confirmation and look forward to continuing our positive working relationship with the FAA leadership team.”

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