Was Confirmed Tuesday As Secretary Of Transportation

The aviation industry is continuing to send congratulatory messages to Elaine Chao, who was confirmed Tuesday by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of Transportation for the Trump administration.

“On behalf of our nearly 350,000 members nationwide, we congratulate Secretary Chao and look forward to working with her on a host of issues that matter to private pilots and aircraft owners. Flying is so uniquely American and an experience that has been enjoyed by millions over the years.  Developing and putting in place policies that will ensure more are able to fly is a goal that we will continue to work toward every day,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.

“AUVSI congratulates Secretary Chao on her Senate confirmation and looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to foster a favorable policy environment for the unmanned systems industry and work to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace," said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI.

“An AUVSI report projects the UAS industry will create more than 100,000 jobs and generate more than $82 billion in economic impact during the next 10 years. Under the right circumstances, there’s no question these numbers could be even higher.

“Sustained industry-government collaboration is key to advancing the innovation needed to create jobs and keep the U.S. at the forefront of this growing and exciting field. We look forward to working with Secretary Chao and her team to realize the many societal and economic benefits that the unmanned systems industry is poised to bring to our nation.”

“I congratulate Secretary Elaine Chao on her confirmation by the Senate to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation in President Trump’s administration. Over the course of her career in public service, Secretary Chao has always followed through on her commitment to collaborate with industry stakeholders to address the big challenges facing our country," said Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. "Throughout her confirmation process, she has recommitted to that pledge in her efforts to advance President Trump’s vision to modernize our nation’s transportation infrastructure. As a key component of our nation’s transportation system, airports look forward to working with Secretary Chao to address our significant airport infrastructure needs. Modernizing our nation’s airport infrastructure would allow airports to remain powerful drivers of economic growth, supporting local communities through job creation and serving their passengers through an enhanced travel experience.”

In a letter to the new DOT secretary, APFA president Bob Ross offered his congratulations, and reiterated the Association of Professional Flight Attendants' position on Norwegian Air International. "Congratulations on your confirmation by the United States Senate as Secretary of Transportation," Ross wrote. "The overwhelming affirmative vote is a testament to the high regard in which you are held.

"One issue that I believe deserves your immediate attention is the status of Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) foreign air carrier permit. In the final days of the Obama administration, USDOT effectively signed off on a new paradigm for transatlantic commercial aviation. I do not need to tell you, a former chair of the Federal Maritime Commission, how damaging NAI’s planned flag of convenience scheme will be to the American aviation industry. If we are to avoid a similar fate as the merchant marine, your department will need to act swiftly.

"NAI plans to begin flying regularly scheduled routes between Europe and the United States this year, following the December 2, 2016 announcement from USDOT. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) adamantly opposed NAI’s permit application. The Obama administration’s decision will allow the carrier to skirt important provisions of the US-European Union Open Skies Agreement and set a dangerous precedent for our industry. Dozens of members of Congress from both parties, as well as airline management and thousands of airline employees see the risks associated with this shift and have spoken out about them."

(Source: News releases)

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.auvsi.org, www.aci-na.org, www.apfa.org