President Joe Biden intends to nominate Michael Whitaker to head the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the White House announced Thursday.
Whitaker served as FAA deputy administrator from 2013 to 2016. He currently is the chief operating officer of Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company designing an electric advanced air mobility vehicle. Previously, he was group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, an India-based travel conglomerate and operator of the airline IndiGo.
He also spent 15 years at United Airlines in various roles as director, vice president and senior vice president, according to the White House.
“Now more than ever, the FAA needs strong leadership,” United said in a statement. “We are pleased that Michael Whitaker has been nominated for this critical role and look forward to working with him to improve our aviation system for our employees and customers. Mike has deep aviation expertise and a solid reputation as a problem solver. We urge the U.S. Senate to move swiftly on his confirmation process.”
Whitaker would require U.S. Senate confirmation to take the FAA’s reins.
Biden’s previous nominee, Phil Washington, withdrew his nomination in March after it was held in limbo for several months. The FAA has been headed by acting administrator Polly Trottenberg since June. She also is deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
FAA authorization expires on Sept. 30. The U.S. House of Representatives in July passed a reauthorization bill for the agency for five years. It is awaiting a vote in the U.S. Senate.
