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Longtime Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford is President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as administrator of the FAA.
The nomination was announced on March 17.
“As the former President and CEO of Republic Airways, Mesaba Airlines and Business Express Airlines, Brian brings over three decades of experience in aviation and executive leadership to this critical position,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Bryan will work with our great secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, to strongly reform the agency, safeguard our exports and ensure the safety of nearly 1 billion annual passenger movements.”
If confirmed, the seasoned airline executive would take over from Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau, who was named to the post shortly after the deadly Jan. 29 midair collision of a regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C. A final appointment would fill a vacancy left by former FAA chief Michael Whitaker, who stepped down on Jan. 20. Bedford’s nomination had been rumored for some days, and the formal nod was met with approval from airlines and associations alike.
“Having worked with Bryan Bedford for two decades, I have total confidence in his ability to lead the FAA at this critical time,” said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. The Regional Airline Association (RAA) lauded Bedford’s “relentless focus on safety,” urging the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm the president’s choice.
At Republic, Bedford “cultivated a safety culture that permeates every aspect of the airline, where people on the front lines of the airline are empowered, every day, to make the right choice for safety,” said RAA President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black. “Today, our aviation system is safe, but every aspect is straining and in need of deep repair. I can think of no better person than Bryan to take up the mantle of leadership at the FAA and set course for a stronger, safer tomorrow.”
RAA was joined by the U.S. Travel Association and the National Air Carrier Association (NACA) in calling for a swift consideration of Bedford's confirmation.
“With more than 30 years of experience in the airline industry and as a pilot with commercial, multi-engine and instrument ratings, he is exceptionally well qualified to lead the agency,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak, describing the nominee as “well-positioned to implement Secretary Duffy’s initiatives to accelerate the modernization of our safe—yet antiquated—air traffic control system and increase air traffic controller recruitment and training.”
Bedford joined the Republic regional brand in 1999.
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