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The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Bryan Bedford as the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), placing the former airline executive at the helm of the agency as it undertakes a sweeping modernization of the nation’s air traffic control system.
Bedford, previously chief executive of regional airline Republic Airways Holdings, was approved in a 53-43 vote on Wednesday, largely along party lines. He assumes the role at a pivotal moment for the FAA, which is grappling with several major challenges, including ongoing scrutiny of Boeing’s (NYSE:BA) 737 Max production, the fallout from a fatal midair collision in January and the implementation of a $12.5 billion infrastructure upgrade authorized by Congress earlier this year.
Bedford has signaled that advancing air traffic control modernization will be his top priority. That effort recently gained momentum following new funding passed as part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending legislation.
During his confirmation process, some Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about Bedford’s previous stance on pilot training standards, specifically his criticism of the 1,500-flight-hour rule for commercial airline pilots.
In 2022, Republic Airways had unsuccessfully sought an exemption from that requirement, a move that drew renewed scrutiny during Senate hearings. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated those concerns on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Despite the controversy, Bedford’s confirmation was welcomed by industry leaders. Eric Fanning, president and chief executive of the Aerospace Industries Association, praised the appointment and emphasized the importance of stable leadership at the FAA during a period of technological and regulatory transition.
“As new technologies are being integrated into the National Airspace System and there is a refocused effort on ATC modernization, strong FAA leadership must be in place to support these strategic priorities,” Fanning said in a statement.
Bedford’s appointment brings permanent leadership back to the FAA at a time when the agency is under intense public and political scrutiny, and facing mounting pressure to deliver reforms that will shape the future of U.S. aviation.