President Joe Biden announced his nomination of Michael Whitaker to serve as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Sept. 7. Eric Fanning, the president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), commended Biden for the nomination and highlighted Whitaker's previous experience at the FAA.
“The Aerospace Industries Association welcomes the nomination of Mike Whitaker to serve as administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration," Fanning said in a Sept. 7 statement. "AIA believes the FAA and the global aerospace system is best served with established leadership and a Senate-confirmed administrator is integral to ensuring the FAA’s status as the gold standard for aviation safety. Mr. Whitaker’s previous experience at the FAA on key issues such as air traffic system modernization as well as safety priorities and his extensive background in emerging aviation technologies provides him with an opportunity to quickly address the priorities of the Department of Transportation and the aerospace industry. We thank President Biden for making this nomination a priority in his agenda and look forward to the Senate swiftly considering this nomination.”
Days earlier, Fanning had called on Biden to make a nomination to the FAA administrator post, noting that it had been lacking a permanent leader for more than 500 days, according to a press release.
Biden nominated Whitaker on Sept. 7, highlighting Whitaker's 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and his previous role as deputy administrator at the FAA, according to a release from the White House. Sen. Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said in a statement shared by the White House that she believes Whitaker is equipped to handle the challenges facing the FAA.
"From building a well-trained workforce to addressing critical safety concerns to modernizing the national airspace system, there is no shortage of issues before the FAA," Cantwell said. "Mr. Whitaker will use his substantial aviation experience and knowledge to meet these challenges."
Steve Dickson, the last Senate-confirmed FAA administrator, stepped down in April 2022, Reuters reported. Biden had previously nominated Phil Washington to fill the role, but Washington withdrew after facing criticism regarding his lack of experience in the aviation industry.
