ATW Daily News

Obama to nominate former ALPA President Babbitt as FAA Administrator

Monday March 30, 2009

US President Barack Obama Friday announced his intent to nominate former Air Line Pilots Assn. President Randy Babbitt, 62, to be the next FAA Administrator.

Previously an Eastern Airlines pilot for more than 25 years, Babbitt is currently a partner in the aviation practice of management consulting firm Oliver Wyman. Following two terms as ALPA president in the 1990s, he founded aviation consultancy Eclat Consulting, which became a part of Oliver Wyman in 2007.

The nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, was received favorably. "He has both the experience and the leadership skills to drive the modernization of our aging air traffic management system and to improve relations with air traffic controllers," Air Transport Assn. President and CEO James May said. United Airlines Chairman, President and CEO Glenn Tilton said Babbitt is "multidimensional, experienced and has been involved in the industry in a number of ways." ALPA President John Prater said, "Capt. Babbitt knows what it's like to serve as the pilot in command of an airliner and is intimately familiar with all aspects of the regulatory and industry framework."

The National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. union, which has clashed with FAA management in recent years, endorsed the nomination. President Patrick Forrey said Babbitt can reverse "the accumulation of several years of failed FAA management. . .[and] the absence of fairness and respect from its relationship with its employees, particularly the controller workforce."

Since former Administrator Marion Blakey's five-year term expired in September 2007, the agency has been led by acting administrators.

by Aaron Karp

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