Bryan Bedford has been confirmed as the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator, prompting a statement of praise from United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby.
United Airlines CEO Applauds New FAA Administrator
Bryan Bedford has served as CEO of Republic Airways Holdings since 1999 and was recently tapped by the Trump administration to lead the FAA. Bedford ran into trouble with Senate Democrats during his confirmation hearing because of his history of advocating for exceptions to an FAA requirement that pilots log at least 1,500 hours of training before they could operate commercial jets. He did not disavow that position during his confirmation hearings.
On July 9, 2025, the US Senate voted 53-43 to confirm him to the position of FAA administrator. Kirby issued the following statement yesterday after Bedford’s confirmation:
Congrats to Bryan Bedford on being confirmed as the next FAA administrator.
He has spent his entire career as a builder. I’ve worked with Bryan for 25 years and know that he is the right person to lead the FAA at this critical time and will ensure the United States maintains the safest and most advanced airspace in the world. I am looking forward to working with Administrator Bedford to implement President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s plan to reinvent and strengthen our nation’s air traffic control system so that air travel is more efficient and reliable for all Americans.
It’s essential that we continue to collaborate to improve controller staffing, update FAA technology, and strengthen EWR operations.
Notice that Kirby’s charm offensive with the Trump Administration continues, even with this statement.
Republic Airways operates service for American Airlines (as American Eagle), Delta Air Lines (as Delta Connection), and United Airlines (as United Express) using a fleet of Embraer E170 and Embraer E175 regional jets. In his role as President at American Airlines and President (then CEO) at United Airlines, Kirby has worked closely with Bedford.
Bedford will move into his new role in the days ahead, with acting director Chris Rocheleau moving into the deputy administrator role.
The powerful Air Line Pilots Association union also congratulated Bedford on his confirmation, but did address “rigorous training requirements” for pilots:
“We have concerns about his past efforts to lower pilot training requirements, and we will continue to bring the line pilot’s perspective to any discussions about changing these life-saving measures and hold him to his word that safety is his top priority. Maintaining rigorous training requirements and keeping two pilots on the flight deck at all times remain top priorities for ALPA.”
David Grizzle takes over as CEO of Republic Airways Holdings.
CONCLUSION
Bryan Bedford is the new FAA Administrator after being confirmed by a party-line vote in the Senate. He brings more than two decades of running Republic Airways Holdings to his job, with ambitious plans to modernize the federal agency and upgrade air traffic control systems.
Kirby has praised the confirmation of an administrator he sees as an ally.
image: Republic Airways
David Grizzle… that’s a blast from the past. Great guy, total class act. Remember him well from the CO days. Wonder if that’s only an interim thing as he must be pushing 80.
aka “grizzle bear” ?
The exact same statement would have been issued if the new appointee was Duffy Duck , or Melania , no ?
For Kirby, likely.
Kirby better be careful because someday Trump may ask that United be re-named “Trump Shuttle”. Kirby would then be in a dilemma of whether to comply or become a Trump enemy, subject to punishment.
(FYI, Trump Shuttle was the name of the airline that flew LGA-DCA more than 30 years ago. Trump bought the Eastern Airlines Shuttle and re-named it. US Airways eventually took over.)
… and like most his business ventures, it wasn’t flying for long…
A nasty business man and even nastier/incompetent politician…..
nasty , but not-incompetent . ( he did cut his losses .)
not-congenial , but cleverly intelligent .
It was in bankruptcy within 4 months.. While still be fitted with gold plated lav fixtures. Lorenzo out foxed him.
I am curious whether there is any data supporting the need for the current hour requirement, or (gasp) the pilots want to keep the bar high to reduce competition.
I know @121pilot feels strongly about this. Maybe he can chime in.
Who ‘axed’ him ? Kirby should keep his pie hole shut for just once.
I thought half the role of the FAA was to regulate safety and given Kirby’s business history with Bedford, he should publicly maintain a respectful distance to avoid any perceptions of impropriety ( especially his blatant comment about strengthening his precious EWR hub ) .
But, I correct myself as Kirby was probably appealing to the other ( and contradictory ) FAA role of ‘promoting’ commercial aviation.. What a joke…
And, of course, I always feel safer flying with a cockpit crew having the least amount of hours ( and therefore experience ) as possible !
I have to give you props for the euphemism of Kirby’s crass boot licking as a charm offensive although the offensive part is on the mark. The problem is, Kirby was of dubious trustworthiness at best before and now we have to view pretty much everything he says as being skewed at best and an outright lie otherwise. Perhaps I’m old fashioned but I expect better from a supposed captain of industry.
It’s just as simple as ” follow the money ” and that will lead you to the discouraging truth … lol
Is there one solitary ass in the Trump administration that Kirby would decline to kiss? I’m gonna say no. The guy has the brownest nose in the industry, and it’s embarrassing at this point.
Unqualified, right wing religious nut!
What makes you say that?
He would end all communications when he was at Republic with God Bless! They started getting the nickname, God Bless Express! LOL
Interesting…
all Kirby cares about is getting the current restrictions on EWR lifted and it is unlikely that kissing any part of the FAA’s anatomy will get that number raised.
EWR was overscheduled relative to its capacity up until the day the FAA slashed EWR’s capacity DURING the EWR runway rebuilding and DL has now taken a commanding share lead in NYC as a result.
UA needs to have that “fixed” to avoid having parts of its merger w/ CO be nullified