Tori Emerson Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy for the United States Travel Association, issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Michael Whitaker as FAA Administrator:

"The FAA has long been without a permanent leader in this critical role, and we welcome progress toward that end. While this position has remained vacant, aviation policymaking has largely been at a standstill. The Senate "The United States must work quickly to confirm an administrator and extend vital FAA programs, and Congress must unite to avoid a disastrous government shutdown, which would only exacerbate existing tensions across the entire travel system."

Michael Whitaker's nomination comes at a challenging time for the FAA. The FAA's five-year funding bill is stalled in Congress due to disagreements over training hours and retirement ages for commercial airline pilots. 

The absence of a permanent FAA administrator has led to a stalemate in aviation policymaking, which has broad implications for the travel industry. Michael Whitaker's nomination is expected to be quickly confirmed by the United States Senate, allowing the FAA to resume its vital work and ensure the continued safety and efficiency of our national airspace.

The United States Travel Association looks forward to establishing a positive and productive working relationship with Mr. Whitaker and the FAA under his leadership. We remain committed to advancing the interests of the travel industry and ensuring the prosperity of our nation's air transportation system.