FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker to keynote NBAA-BACE 2024 event

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Joe Petrie Editor & Chief | AviationPros

By Sky Industry News

Jul 31, 2024

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced that Michael Whitaker, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will be a featured speaker for the Opening Keynote Session on October 22 at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

Whitaker, confirmed as FAA administrator by the U.S. Senate in October 2023, assumes the role as leaders from across government and industry work to implement a newly codified FAA reauthorization law focused on ensuring that America retains its global leadership position in aviation.

“The pace of change in aviation is rapidly accelerating, with new technologies, new market entrants and new business models driving an evolution in thinking about on-demand air mobility,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Through his experience and leadership role at the FAA, Administrator Whitaker is uniquely positioned to speak to the factors driving the aviation industry today and in the future. We welcome the opportunity to hear his perspectives.”

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Whitaker previously served as deputy FAA administrator from 2013-2016. In that role, he led the agency’s modernization to a Next Generation national air traffic control system. He returned to the FAA last year after serving as chief operating officer of advanced air mobility developer Supernal.

In addition to leading the FAA’s NextGen program as deputy administrator, Whitaker also established the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, the first FAA organization dedicated to UAS operations in the National Airspace System.

As a private pilot, Whitaker has served in several key industry roles, including senior vice president of alliances, international and regulatory affairs for United Airlines. He was later named group CEO at InterGlobe Enterprises, the holding company for IndiGo, India’s largest airline.

NBAA-BACE will take place from October 22-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND). It is considered one of the most significant business aviation events globally.