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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Michael Whitaker on Thursday announced that he will resign from his post in January, despite bipartisan support from Congress over his handling of Boeing’s quality control issues.

Whitaker replaced Denver airport executive Phil Washington in October 2023, in what is usually considered a five-year post. The opening allows President-elect Donald Trump to choose his successor, but no official names have been floated so far.

The FAA administrator said in a letter to his workforce that he would resign on Trump’s inauguration day, and said the job had been the “honor of his lifetime,” according to Politico.

“The United States is the safest and most complex airspace in the world, and that is because of your commitment to the safety of the flying public,” Whitaker said. “This has been the best and most challenging job of my career.”

Whitaker was sworn into office after a series of near-collision incidents in aviation, and was tasked with replenishing the agency’s depleted air traffic controller workforce. He also oversaw the agency’s response to Boeing’s ongoing safety challenges.

Several members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle have lauded Whitaker’s leadership. Democratic Washington Rep. Rick Larsen said the news of Whitaker’s impending resignation was “unfortunate” because Whitaker had been doing so well in the post.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said that Whitaker “ably led the agency during a challenging period.” 

The next FAA administrator will work with the incoming Transportation Secretary. Trump has nominated Sean Duffy for the role, but he will still need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.