C-Band Aviation Fight Stakeholders Hail Senate Confirmation of Whitaker for FAA Head
Stakeholders on and off Capitol Hill in the fight over how wireless carriers’ operations on the C band would affect aviation safety hailed the Senate’s 98-0 confirmation Tuesday night of Michael Whitaker as FAA administrator. The FAA has improved its…
interagency cooperation with the FAA on C-band issues after the debate heated up in late 2021 (see 2112220038). Wireless carriers agreed earlier this year to extend protection for flight operations from some C-band deployments until Jan. 1, 2028 (see 2304030070). The FAA has “a lot to do,” including on aviation “technology upgrades,” and “Whitaker is the right person to lead” the agency, said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. The Wireless Infrastructure Association “is working closely with the FAA to promote the safe and efficient expansion of wireless service in and around airports,” the group said in a statement: “We look forward to continuing our growing partnership with the agency under his leadership to ensure the dual goals of air safety and expanded wireless connectivity.” Senate Commerce ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Airlines for America also hailed Whitaker’s confirmation.