The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted 98-0 to confirm former United Airlines executive Mike Whitaker as administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for a five-year term.
Whitaker most recently had been chief operating officer of Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company. He also formerly served as FAA deputy administrator from 2013 to 2016, was group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, and spent 15 years at United Airlines in a variety of roles.
The position of FAA administrator had not been filled since the end of March 2022, when Steve Dickson stepped down. Deputy transportation secretary Polly Trottenberg since June has served as acting administrator.
“I commend the U.S. Senate for quickly confirming Mike Whitaker to lead the FAA,” U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “With his three decades of aviation experience, including his time as FAA’s deputy administrator, Mike has earned broad bipartisan support because it’s clear he had the expertise and disposition to successfully lead the agency from day one.”
“Mike Whitaker is a capable and tested aviation leader who will bring critical expertise to the FAA,” U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement. “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.”
Aviation organization Airlines for America in a statement said, “We look forward to working collaboratively with the administrator to address the critical issues facing our national airspace system, including air traffic control staffing shortages and NextGen modernization implementation.”
A senior FAA official said Whitaker could begin in the new role as early as Wednesday, according to Reuters.
