NBAA and NATA Applaud Senate Confirmation of Mike Whitaker to Lead FAA

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) hailed the vote by the full U.S. Senate to confirm Michael Whitaker as the next permanent administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“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.”

“NATA congratulates Mike Whitaker on his successful confirmation as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and thanks members of the United States Senate for their swift, unanimous approval of a trusted industry veteran to lead the Agency. Administrator Whitaker’s extensive experience within several aviation sectors combined with his service as Deputy FAA Administrator make him well suited to steer the FAA at this critical juncture for aviation safety, industry innovation, and continued global leadership. The tremendous bipartisan support he received in both Congressional chambers and from a broad swath of industry stakeholders speaks to his qualifications as well as his character,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “After more than 18 months without a permanent leader at the Agency’s helm, NATA looks forward to partnering with Administrator Whitaker to recruit a resilient aviation workforce within the FAA and the industry, usher in safe commercial operation of the next generation of aircraft, and invest in our nation’s critical network of more than 5,000 airports – priorities he highlighted at his confirmation hearing earlier this month.”  

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.

While previously at the agency, he also led the FAA’s air traffic modernization efforts as the chief NextGen officer. Whitaker 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.