President Joe Biden announced his intention on Thursday to nominate Michael G. Whitaker as the next Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator.
Whitaker, a private pilot and with a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center, has more than three decades of aviation industry experience.
He began career as a litigator before serving as Trans World Airlines’ assistant general counsel of international and regulatory affairs.
He then worked for United Airlines for 15 years, serving in various leadership roles. While at the airline, Whitaker served as strategic counsel on international matters to the board of directors chairman and CEO, advised on international and regulatory affairs, and worked on commercial alliances and joint ventures.
Whitaker served as Group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, operator of successful India’s IndiGo airline, and oversaw strategy and operations for four affiliate travel companies.
Between 2013–2016, Whitaker served as FAA deputy administrator In this role, he worked on the successful transition of the air traffic control system from radar to a satellite-enabled surveillance technology.
Whitaker currently is Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company designing an electric advanced air mobility vehicle, chief operating officer. He overseas all commercial and key business operations.
Following the announcement, aviation industry organizations released statements supporting the nomination.
Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) “applauds the nomination of Michael Whitaker to lead the safest and most complex aviation system in the world,” ALPA President Capt. Jason Ambrosi said. “Michael understands that the most important safety feature on any aircraft is two, highly-trained and well-rested pilots, and the paramount need to protect current pilot safety training regulations.
“This nomination comes at a particularly critical time for the FAA. In order to maintain the world’s safest air transportation system, modernize outdated infrastructure, and keep passengers and crews safe, we need permanent, stable leadership that is safety-focused, and we look forward to his swift approval by the United States Senate.”
In addition, Whitaker serves on the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes aviation safety, board of directors.
“We applaud the Administration’s action to submit a nomination to the U.S. Senate for FAA Administrator,” Airlines for America said. “The U.S. aviation industry is currently facing critical challenges and significant opportunities in management of the National Airspace System (NAS). As passenger travel continues to grow and Americans rely daily on cargo shipments, the system must keep up. New entrants, new technologies and innovations must be integrated into the system. A permanent, confirmed FAA Administrator is needed to provide leadership, stability and vision for the NAS, which is becoming more complex and more important every day.
“Michael Whitaker has extensive experience working on a range of priorities including NextGen modernization at both the FAA and at major airlines. He has a deep understanding of and appreciation for the collaborative partnership between industry and government that is necessary to ensure air travel remains the safest mode of transportation in the world.”