President Trump has tapped Bryan Bedford, the president and CEO of Republic Airways, to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Brian brings over three decades of experience in Aviation and Executive Leadership to this critical position,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “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. Congratulations Bryan!”
Trump’s Monday post follows recent turmoil surrounding the aviation industry in the wake of multiple notable plane crashes. The crashes raised questions about aviation safety in the first few months of the second Trump administration.
Bedford is currently the president and CEO of Republic Airways, which describes itself as “one of the largest regional airlines in North America.” According to the airline’s website, it provides American Eagle, United Express and Delta Connection-branded flights.
In 2022, the FAA denied Republic Airways’s request to cut the flight time needed for new pilots in half in the case of them attending the airline’s training school.
“We’re disappointed — but not surprised — that our petition to the FAA was not met with the review and engagement it deserves,” Bedford said in response to the denial. “Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, our proposal would enhance safety by providing students a highly structured, mission-specific training approach.”
Earlier this month, The New York Times reported Duffy had alleged during a Cabinet meeting that staffers with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had tried to terminate air traffic controllers.
