President Donald Trump has nominated Bryan Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, to serve as the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The announcement comes as the aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny over safety concerns following a deadly midair collision in Washington, D.C., earlier this year.
Bedford has led Republic Airways since 1999, overseeing its growth into a major regional airline operating flights for American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. In his announcement on Truth Social, Trump praised Bedford’s extensive background in aviation and executive leadership.
“Bryan will work with our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to strongly reform the Agency, safeguard our exports, and ensure the safety of nearly one billion annual passenger movements,” Trump stated.
If confirmed by the US Senate, Bedford will take over from acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, who was appointed after the January Potomac River collision that killed 67 people. The accident intensified concerns about FAA staffing shortages and air traffic control safety.
Bedford will assume leadership of the FAA at a time of industry-wide challenges, including:
- Air traffic controller shortages, which have contributed to delays and operational concerns.
- Modernization of air traffic systems, which experts say are outdated and in need of reform.
- Ongoing airline safety concerns, highlighted by recent high-profile crashes.
Trump has previously criticized FAA regulations, and Elon Musk, who is involved in efforts to reduce the size of the federal government, has also voiced concerns about aviation industry oversight.
Bedford’s nomination has received a mixed response from the aviation industry. Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, expressed confidence in Bedford’s leadership, citing his decades of experience.
“Having worked with Bryan Bedford for two decades, I have total confidence in his ability to lead the FAA at this critical time,” Kirby said in a statement.
Under Bedford’s leadership, Republic Airways grew from a $90 million company in 1999 to a $1.2 billion airline. However, it filed for bankruptcy in 2016, struggling with pilot shortages and industry shifts, before emerging as a private company the following year.
Republic currently operates more than 19 million passenger flights annually on behalf of major airlines, making it one of the largest regional carriers in the US.
Bedford’s stance on regulatory policies has been a subject of debate. In 2022, Republic Airways requested FAA approval to cut flight hour requirements for new pilots in half if they trained at the airline’s school. The FAA denied the request, citing safety concerns. Bedford defended the proposal, arguing that it would have enhanced pilot training while addressing industry-wide pilot shortages.
“Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, our proposal would enhance safety by providing students a highly structured, mission-specific training approach,” Bedford stated at the time.
With his nomination, Bedford is expected to navigate ongoing policy debates regarding pilot training, safety regulations, and workforce development in the aviation sector.
With input from Axios, the Hill, FOX News, and the New York Times.
