FAA administrator Whitaker to resign ahead of Trump inauguration

Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Whitaker announced on Thursday morning that he will resign his role as the leader of the United States’ aviation regulator. Whitaker, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate just 14 months ago, was the first confirmed head of the agency since Steve Dickson resigned shortly after President Joe Biden took office in 2021. Whitaker’s last day will be Jan. 20, 2025 — when President Donald Trump will be inaugurated for a second term.

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Whitaker’s departure brings massive uncertainty to the regulator as it faces several intersecting crises at once: a shortage of air traffic controllers across the country, pressure to safely integrate new entrants into the National Airspace System, and ongoing safety and quality issues at Boeing, among others.

His resignation also coincides with the normal departure of other political appointees at the agency when Trump is sworn in, adding to other vacancies including the head of aircraft certification and head of aviation safety. Political appointees at the FAA are the deputy administrator, general counsel, head of the office of airports, head of communications and head of government relations.

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Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson’s last day will be Jan. 10, after which Mark House, the FAA’s assistant administrator for finance and management, will step in as acting deputy administrator. “Mark has 20 years of executive experience at the FAA, has served on the Management Board since 2018, and is uniquely qualified to guide the FAA and ensure a smooth transition,” Whitaker said in a message to FAA employees.