The leader of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), known for a stringent enforcement approach towards Boeing following a significant incident earlier in the year, announced he will resign next month. This paves the way for the incoming President Trump to appoint a new head for the agency.
Mike Whitaker shared his resignation news in a message directed to FAA employees, which oversees airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and the nation’s airspace management. He assumed the role of FAA administrator in October 2023.
During his leadership, Whitaker faced numerous challenges, including an increase in near misses involving airplanes, the necessity for enhanced scrutiny of Boeing, outdated equipment, and a lack of air traffic controllers as the demand for air travel surged.
“The United States has the safest and most intricate airspace worldwide, thanks to your dedication to ensuring the public’s safety while flying,” Whitaker noted in his message. He expressed that this role has been both rewarding and demanding, concluding with the announcement of his departure on January 20, 2025.
Whitaker’s appointment came after an overwhelming Senate vote of 98-0 confirmed his nomination by President Biden last year, following a long period without a Senate-approved leader for the FAA. A previous nominee withdrew amid significant Republican backlash.
The FAA administrators are typically expected to serve five years in office, although recent departures have disrupted this norm. Whitaker’s predecessor, Stephen Dickson, also left his role earlier than intended.
Prior to his time at the FAA, Whitaker practiced law for TWA and spent fifteen years at United Airlines managing international and regulatory matters. He was deputy FAA administrator during the Obama era and took up a role as an executive with an air taxi service.
Shortly after his appointment, a serious safety incident occurred involving a Boeing 737 Max, which shed light on existing safety issues, prompting Whitaker to take swift action by grounding similar aircraft and demanding a revised safety and quality control plan from Boeing.
Whitaker identified that the FAA’s oversight of Boeing had been excessively lenient, focusing too much on paperwork rather than hands-on inspections.
By August, the FAA had reportedly doubled its enforcement actions against Boeing since the January incident.
Senators from both sides of the political spectrum commended Whitaker during a recent hearing regarding the FAA’s air traffic control problems, which have been hindered by a lack of controllers and aging technology. A critical computer system responsible for providing pilots with safety updates failed in January 2023, resulting in over 1,300 flight cancellations and widespread delays.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who opposed the initial Biden nominee, remarked that the unanimous confirmation of Whitaker reflected his experience and sound judgment and noted his effective leadership during a challenging time.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), chair of the Senate aviation subcommittee, credited Whitaker with enhancing safety oversight pertaining to Boeing. “Our aviation system is safer due to his contributions,” she asserted.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, expressed the need for Whitaker’s successor to immediately restore the FAA’s safety culture and ensure thorough oversight of the aviation industry.
Previously, after Trump’s win in the 2016 election, he had considered appointing his personal pilot as the head of the FAA before eventually choosing Dickson, a former Delta Air Lines executive.
The choice for a new FAA leader this time may be influenced by recommendations from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has had disputes with the FAA regarding delays in his SpaceX company’s Starship project. Musk, a significant contributor to political campaigns, has criticized the FAA for its bureaucratic practices while Trump has designated him to spearhead efforts in downsizing government agencies.
