Aviation and the new Trump Administration
Transportation policy issues played an important role in the recent United States presidential election. Amongst the often contentious and vitriolic debate, improving and modernising the transportation infrastructure of the United States was one area upon which the candidates, and most Americans, agreed.
Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump has called for a considerable transportation infrastructure initiative, indicating a particular interest in improving aviation infrastructure. While airport and air traffic control modernisation may be the early aviation focus of the Trump Administration, there are several other aviation issues which will need to be addressed. President Trump signalled the importance he places on transportation issues by naming the experienced Elaine Chao as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation. Ms Chao served as head of the Federal Maritime Commission under President Ronald Reagan, as a deputy transportation secretary under President George H. W. Bush and as Secretary of Labour under President George W. Bush. Ms Chao is also married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (a Republican Senator from Kentucky). Ms Chao's experience and familiarity with Capitol Hill may serve to smooth the inevitably difficult congressional transportation budget negotiations.
For the time being, it appears that Michael Huerta will continue in his role as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") and serve out his five-year term which is due to expire in January 2018. This will provide some consistency at a time when the FAA is undertaking many important initiatives, including the implementation and enforcement of new rules applying to the operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
It is worth recalling that President Trump has personal experience of the airline business; through his ownership of the Trump Shuttle some years ago. Looking ahead, there are several areas in which the Trump Administration may have a significant impact on aviation issues.
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Aviation And Aerospace Newsletter - February 2017
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