Ending weeks of speculation, President Biden on September 7, 2023, submitted Michael Whitaker as his nominee to become the 19th confirmed Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. If confirmed, he would be the first non-acting head of the agency since Steve Dickson resigned on March 31, 2002. Since then, the position has been filled by acting administrators Billy Nolen and, currently, by Polly Trottenberg, who has been in the acting slot since June.
The nomination now goes to the U.S. Senate for confirmation and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the committee, said, “From building a well-trained workforce to addressing critical safety concerns to modernizing the national airspace system, there is no shortage of issues before the FAA. Mr. Whitaker will use his substantial aviation experience and knowledge to meet these challenges. I look forward to working with him and his strong leadership at the agency.” The committee had not yet scheduled a hearing on Whitaker’s nomination at this writing.
