In a critical Senate committee meeting on Wednesday, Sean Duffy, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Transportation, will emphasize his commitment to restoring global trust in U.S. aviation—especially with major player Boeing, following a mid-air emergency in 2024.
“I’ll be working closely with Congress and the FAA to rebuild confidence in Boeing and make sure our skies are safe for everyone,” Duffy said in his written statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is keeping a close eye on Boeing after a door panel came loose mid-flight from a new Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, which raised serious safety concerns. To make sure things don’t repeat, the FAA has put Boeing under tighter control and limited its production of MAX planes to 38 per month.
While Boeing hasn’t yet commented on the matter, Duffy’s main focus is clear: safety.
Duffy, a former U.S. House lawmaker, will also inherit a slew of aviation challenges, including a shortage of air traffic controllers and outdated FAA facilities. As of now, the FAA is still 3,000 controllers short of staffing needs, with around 10,600 certified controllers on hand. This shortage has led to operational issues, including extended flight delays in New York-area airports, which have been affected by these staffing shortages.
“In aviation, safety will always be my top priority, and we must act fast to address the need for more air traffic controllers,” Duffy stressed in his testimony.
But it’s not just about safety in the air. Duffy will also be tasked with tackling the state of U.S. infrastructure, which has been falling behind for years. President Trump has already indicated that rebuilding this infrastructure will be a major priority, and Duffy is on board with speeding up those critical projects by cutting through the red tape that slows them down.
Additionally, Duffy is keen to address rising traffic deaths, which have surged since the pandemic and are now at their highest levels since 2005. “We need to act decisively to reduce these numbers and make our roads safer,” he added.
With major changes on the horizon, Duffy’s leadership could be a key factor in shaping the future of U.S. transportation—whether in the skies or on the ground. Let’s hope he’s up for the challenge!
