The Senate voted 59-43 to confirm Bryan Bedford, the current CEO of Republic Airways, as the next Federal Aviation Administration head. The vote occurred on Wednesday, with Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., as the only Democrat who voted in favor of Bedford despite objections from her colleagues about his past positions on pilot training hours.
According to a report from Politico, Democrats expressed concerns about Bedford’s previous attempts to secure an exception to the FAA’s rule requiring pilots to have 1,500 hours of training before they can operate commercial jets.
Who Is Bryan Bedford?
Bedford brings decades of experience as an airline executive, including in some of the largest regional airlines in North America. He has led Republic Airways since 1999, during which he played a key role in helping the carrier grow from $85 million in revenue to more than $1.3 billion, Fox Business reported. Before joining Republic Airways, Bedford was the chief executive of Mesaba Airlines and Business Express Airlines.
In 1997 and 2004, he was named Airline Executive of the Year by Regional Airline World.
Bedford, who holds multi-engine and instrument pilot ratings, earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Florida State University.
Following his confirmation as FAA head, he will replace Chris Rocheleau, who has been serving as the agency chief in an acting capacity since Jan. 29, when a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided, resulting in the death of 67 individuals.
