Trump Nominates Ex-Delta Pilot as U.S. ICAO Ambassador

Former Delta Air Lines pilot Jeffrey Anderson has been nominated by former President Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the White House announced on Thursday July 17. The nomination has sparked controversy, drawing strong opposition from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents over 79,000 pilots in the U.S. and Canada.

The ICAO, a Montreal-based United Nations aviation agency, has not had a permanent U.S. ambassador since July 2022, when Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger resigned. Anderson’s nomination coincides with renewed calls from some U.S. senators for the administration to support raising the mandatory airline pilot retirement age from 65 to 67—an initiative previously rejected by Congress.

ALPA criticized Anderson’s nomination, arguing that his main qualification appears to be support for the controversial retirement age increase. “His position would make the U.S. an outlier in international aviation and risk disrupting labor relations and flight operations,” the union said in a statement.

International aviation rules currently prohibit pilots over age 65 from flying in most countries. The White House defended Anderson’s credentials, highlighting his service as a decorated Navy aviator, his decades-long career with Delta, and his experience as a negotiator for ALPA.

ICAO plays a critical role in setting global aviation standards, from runway safety to passenger protections. Its next triennial assembly will take place from September 23 to October 3, with major aviation policy decisions expected.


Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=ICAO, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com