Eric R. Byer
Vice President, Government and Industry Affairs
800-808-6282
ebyer@nata.aero
COYNE LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NEWLY SENATE-CONFIRMED FAA ADMINISTRATOR RANDY BABBITT
Alexandria, VA, May 22, 2009 ? National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President James K. Coyne today praised the United States Senate for confirming Randy Babbitt as the next Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator. Babbitt is slated to serve a five-year term and takes over immediately for acting FAA Administrator Lynn Osmus.
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 applaud the Senate leadership for approving Randy Babbitt’s confirmation as the next FAA administrator,” stated Coyne. “Administrator Babbitt has a lengthy priority list to tackle over the next five years, including modernizing our nation’s air traffic control system, and NATA and its members stand ready to work with him and his staff.”
Commenting on the importance for the new FAA administrator to work immediately with Congress to approve a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, Coyne stated, “It is clear that as the House approves its bill, that there is now momentum to pass FAA reauthorization legislation finally. I am hopeful that Administrator Babbitt’s confirmation 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.”
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NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.