Deputy Transportation Secretary Expected to Be Next Interim Head of FAA According to Report

Current acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen could depart from the agency as early as this week.

Monday, June 05, 2023 at 02:02 PM ET

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Polly Trottenberg would be replacing current acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen, according to the report. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Polly Trottenberg, the U.S. DOT deputy secretary, is expected to be named the interim head of the FAA, replacing Billy Nolen who is departing to join eVTOL startup Archer Aviation.
Trottenberg has extensive public sector experience but lacks specific aviation experience, which could be a challenge given the FAA's ongoing issues such as staffing shortages, outdated technology, and certification backlogs.
Her anticipated appointment comes at a time of booming summer air travel and as the FAA addresses air traffic controller shortages and works to mitigate flight disruptions, having been without a Senate-confirmed leader since 2022.

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Polly Trottenberg, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is expected to be named the next interim head of the FAA, according to news agency Reuters.

Trottenberg would be replacing current acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen, and several sources say his departure from the agency could be as early as this week. Nolen will still have close ties to the industry as he plans to join eVTOL startup Archer Aviation.