US President Biden Names New Acting FAA Administrator

United States President Joe Biden announced his selection for the new acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to The Associated Press, President Biden revealed on Thursday that Department of Transportation aide Polly Trottenberg would be tasked with replacing Billy Nolen, who announced in April he planned to leave the FAA.

Trottenberg previously served as a high-ranking member of the Transportation Department under former President Barack Obama and most recently worked as deputy to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

In addition, Trottenberg led the New York City Transportation Department from 2014 to 2020 after being previously employed as a U.S. Senate aide and at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The FAA continues to operate without a Senate-confirmed leader after Stephen Dickson resigned from his position in March 2022. President Biden previously nominated Phil Washington for the role, but he withdrew his name from consideration when it became clear he would not be confirmed.

President Biden and his administration continue their national search for a new nominee.

To combat any possible issues associated with the influx of travelers during the busy summer travel period, the FAA warned the airline industry in April of staffing shortages at key facilities, requesting that carriers make necessary operational adjustments.