Coyne Welcomes Nomination Of Babbitt As Next FAA Administrator

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President James K. Coyne today welcomes the nomination of Randy Babbitt as President Obama's selection for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator. Babbitt had been rumored for some time to be the likely pick to head the FAA but vetting delays that have plagued all Administration selections prolonged the announcement.

Babbitt, former president and chief executive officer of the Air Line Pilots Association, has more than 40 years of aviation experience. Last year, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters named Babbitt to the independent review team tasked with evaluating and crafting recommendations to improve the FAA's implementation of the aviation safety system and its culture of safety.

"I have known Randy Babbitt for more than 15 years, and I think he is an outstanding selection as our next FAA Administrator," says Coyne. "Randy knows full-well how important modernizing our air traffic control system is, so I look forward to working with him to accomplish this critical priority."

Commenting on the importance for the new FAA Administrator to work immediately with Congress to approve a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, Coyne says, "There is a lot of good intent on Capitol Hill to approve a long-term measure finally. I am hopeful that with Randy filling the Administrator slot momentum will carry us over the hump towards passage of a bill that modernizes our air traffic control system, rejects user fees, and invests in airport infrastructure."