NBAA Welcomes Nomination of Michael Whitaker as Next FAA Administrator

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes the Biden administration’s nomination of Michael Whitaker to serve as the next permanent administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Whitaker is an attorney, a longtime aviation industry professional, and a private pilot who served as deputy FAA administrator from 2013-2016. In that role, he also led the agency’s air-traffic modernization efforts as the chief NextGen officer.

Since 2020, Whitaker has worked with Supernal, the advanced air mobility (AAM) subsidiary of Hyundai, currently serving as the company’s chief operating officer.

“Mike Whitaker has long been an outspoken aviation safety advocate and champion of innovation in the industry, who demonstrated during his time as deputy administrator at the FAA that he is a proven leader who delivers results,” says NBAA president and CEO, Ed Bolen. “We enthusiastically support his confirmation as FAA administrator.”

Whitaker has served in several key industry roles, including as assistant general counsel for TWA and then 15 years with United Airlines, as well as senior vice president of alliances, international and regulatory affairs. After leaving United, he was named group CEO at InterGlobe Enterprises, the holding company for IndiGo, India’s largest airline.

In addition to leading the FAA’s NextGen program while deputy administrator, Whitaker also stood up the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, the first FAA organization dedicated to UAS operations in the National Airspace System.