FAA Administrator Whitaker Resigns on Inauguration Day, Mark House to Serve as Acting Deputy

Dec 12, 2024, 06:05 PM

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker has announced his resignation effective January 20, 2025, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Whitaker, who assumed the role in October 2023, has navigated significant challenges during his tenure, including a surge in close calls between planes, a shortage of air traffic controllers, and antiquated equipment. He has also enforced a stricter oversight policy on Boeing following a safety incident involving a Boeing 737 Max jet. His resignation will allow Trump to appoint a new head of the FAA, with Mark House, the assistant administrator for finance and management, set to become the acting deputy administrator.