The US Senate has unanimously confirmed Michael Whitaker to serve as the next permanent FAA administrator.

GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce says: “GAMA congratulates FAA administrator Whitaker on his confirmation. 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.

“Additionally, we are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which worked to expeditiously move the administrator's nomination through the Senate.”

“Congratulations to Mike Whitaker on his well-deserved confirmation as FAA administrator,” adds 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.”

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

While previously at the agency, he led the FAA's air traffic modernisation efforts as the chief nextgen officer. Whitaker also stood up the agency's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, the first FAA organisation dedicated to UAS operations in the national airspace system.

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, he performed a leadership role as group CEO at InterGlobe Enterprises, the holding company for IndiGo, India's largest airline.