The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is currently considering Delta Air Lines’ Captain Steve Dickson as the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration — a nomination now backed by the Airlines for America (A4A) organization.
In a letter dispatched to Committee Chair Roger Wicker and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, A4A’s president and CEO Nicholas Calio urged quick approval to gain an equally quick vote for Dickson. He based the trade organization’s stance on Dickson’s safety record both as a pilot and as an administrator, his knowledge of the National Airspace System, and his experience.
“The aviation industry is a key driver of the U.S. economy and job creation, responsible for over five percent of GDP and 11 million jobs,” Calio wrote. “The industry is at an inflection point. It faces both critical challenges, and significant opportunities in management of the National Airspace System (NAS) as passenger travel and cargo shipments continue to grow and new entrants, new technologies and innovations need to be integrated into the system. Steve Dickson’s rich and relevant experience in aviation make him uniquely qualified to provide the vision, leadership, and day-to-day management the FAA needs to meet those challenges and seize those opportunities.”
Dickson is currently the senior vice president of flight operations for Delta Air Lines but has been working with Delta for 27 years. He previously served as chairman of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) Operations Committee, the Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee, and the NextGen Implementation Task Force.
“Steve Dickson’s proven record of providing vision and strong, collaborative and knowledgeable leadership qualify him to lead the Federal Aviation Administration,” Calio wrote.