Washington, DC

Associations applaud confirmation of FAA Administrator Whitaker

The National Business Aviation Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association have hailed the vote by the full US Senate to confirm Michael Whitaker as the next permanent administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Congratulations to Mike Whitaker on his well-deserved confirmation as FAA administrator,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We look forward to working with Mike, whose expertise will help chart a clear path toward a successful future for the aviation community.”

Michael Whitaker is confirmed as the next permanent administrator of the FAA

Michael Whitaker is confirmed as the next permanent administrator of the FAA | Getty Images.

Whitaker - an attorney and private pilot - will be returning to lead the agency where he served as deputy FAA administrator from 2013-2016. Whitaker currently serves as chief operating officer at Supernal, the advanced air mobility subsidiary of Hyundai, a role he has held since 2020.

GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said, “This is a transformative time for aviation, and we welcome the experience and skills that FAA Administrator Whitaker will bring to the agency. We are confident that he will provide the FAA with the stability, leadership and sound direction that the agency needs. We look forward to working with the Administrator as the FAA continues its work to further develop an aviation system that is safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced."

While previously at the agency, Whitaker also led the FAA’s air traffic modernization efforts as the chief NextGen officer. He also stood up the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, the first FAA organization dedicated to UAS operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).

In addition to his work at the FAA and Supernal, Whitaker has served as assistant general counsel at TWA. He later led United Airlines as senior vice president of alliances, international and regulatory affairs. Following that, Whitaker performed a leadership role as group CEO at InterGlobe Enterprises, the holding company for IndiGo, India’s largest airline.