Who is Michael Whitaker? Biden's nominee to head the FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the state agency in charge of controlling and regulating everything related to civil aviation in the United States. It was created in 1958 under the Dwight Eisenhower administration and replaced the now-defunct Civil Aeronautics Administration (AAC). Its last director confirmed by the Senate was Esteban Dickson, who was in office from 2019 until mid-2022 when he vacated the position. Since then, Joe Biden has failed to fill the position, however; he has now nominated someone for the job: Michael Whitaker.

The president had tried in March to nominate Phil Washington, who did not receive overwhelming support from the Democrats and even less from the Republican senators.

Now, President Biden's nominee is the CEO of Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company that designs electric vehicles. Whitaker already knows the FAA, having served as deputy administrator from 2013 to 2016. In addition, he also has experience at United Airlines, where he spent 15 years of his career and even became vice president. He also worked at InterGlobe Enterprises, India's largest travel conglomerate and operator of its largest airline, IndiGo, as well as deputy general for regulatory and international affairs at Trans World Airlines.

Perhaps his most important quality is his past as a private pilot, something very important to Ted Cruz, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Cruz had criticized Washington precisely for lacking experience in this area. "I think it is disgraceful that the Biden administration has delayed this long nominating an administrator for the FAA and that they wasted an enormous amount of time nominating an individual who was not remotely qualified to do the job," the senator said. As for the president's new nominee, he said he would examine his "qualifications, experience and temperament."

The industry reacted quickly to Whitaker's nomination. For example, Nicholas Calio, president and chief executive of airline trade group Airlines for America, encouraged quick consideration of Whitaker given his "extensive experience" and "deep knowledge" of the problems he would face at the agency's helm.

The Regional Airline Association, the International Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems and the Association of Flight Attendants endorsed the president's choice for FAA chief.