Michael Whitaker (government official)

Michael Gordon Whitaker (born June 21, 1961) is an American lawyer serving as the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since October 27, 2023. He was previously the chief operating officer of Supernal. He was the deputy FAA administrator from 2013 to 2016.

Life
Whitaker completed a Juris Doctor degree at Georgetown University Law Center.

Whitaker began his aviation career as a litigator, then as assistant general counsel of international and regulatory affairs at Trans World Airlines (TWA). He spent 15 years at United Airlines in a variety of roles as director, vice president and senior vice president. His portfolio at the airline included commercial alliances and joint ventures, international and regulatory affairs, and strategic counsel to the chairman and chief executive officer on international matters. Whitaker served as Group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises. There, he oversaw strategy and operations for four affiliate travel companies.

Whitaker served as deputy administrator at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 2013 to 2016. There, he collaborated with industry and government to drive the transition of the nation’s air traffic control system from radar to a satellite-enabled surveillance technology (ABS-B). Until 2023, he served as the chief operating officer of Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company designing an electric advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicle. Whitaker is a private pilot. He serves on the board of the Flight Safety Foundation. On September 7, 2023, U.S. president Joe Biden nominated him to serve as the administrator of the FAA. On October 24, 2023, the United States Senate confirmed his nomination by a 98–0 vote. Whitaker was sworn in by Secretary Pete Buttigieg on October 27, 2023.