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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