The news was welcomed by many in the aviation industry, including Robin Hayes of New York's hometown airline, JetBlue. "JetBlue congratulates Pete Buttigieg on his Senate confirmation to become the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Secretary Buttigieg brings to the role a strong understanding of the importance of infrastructure investment, which we’re hopeful will include modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system, a top priority for JetBlue. We also welcome President Biden’s immediate focus on climate change and look forward to collaborating with the Secretary on opportunities that lie ahead. And with considerable and significant challenges still facing the airline industry amid the pandemic recovery, we’ll also look to the Secretary for support to ensure we emerge in a position to help power the economy when the crisis is over."
Buttigieg, who thanked his husband during his speech at the Senate faces a monumental task as he seeks to recover a transportation industry that has been decimated by the pandemic.
Air101's editor in chief, Jason Shaw said: "This is good news for the aviation industry, the GLBT+ community as well as the American society as a whole. He's also one of the youngest people to rise to the cabinet ever. I expect that he will be playing a major role in shaping President Biden's ket environmentally positive climate and infrastructure programme."
Recommended for you...