No. 2 officer of the transportation department is appointed interim leader of the FAA

Why it matters: The FAA lacks permanent leadership.

The move comes after President Biden’s nominee to lead the FAA, Phillip A. Washington, withdrew from consideration in March. He had drawn criticism from Republican senators and struggled to garner support to be confirmed.

The FAA has been without permanent leadership since Stephen Dickson, a former Delta Air Lines executive and appointee of President Donald J. Trump, stepped down in 2022. Ms. Trottenberg, 59, succeeds Acting Director of the FAA, Billy Nolen, who previously served as the agency’s top safety officer. Mr. Nolen announced in April that he intended to step down.

Ms. Trottenberg will take the helm of the FAA during a tumultuous period for both the agency and the US aviation system.

Over the past year, pilots have narrowly avoided collisions at U.S. airports on multiple occasions, and travelers have experienced a series of flight delays and cancellations. Southwest Airlines had an operational slump around Christmas and in January problems with a critical FAA system grounded flights across the country.

This year is also a critical one for the FAA, as Congress has a Sept. 30 deadline to reauthorize the agency, giving lawmakers a chance to shape its programs and budget for years to come.

Background: Trottenberg is a transportation veteran.

Ms. Trottenberg has been the second officer of the Department of Transportation for most of the Biden administration — a troubled time for the relationship between US airlines and the federal government.

Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, has called on airlines to provide better customer service, such as removing additional fees for families to sit together on air travel. At the same time, airlines and airport staff have complained about a shortage of air traffic controllers, unfair competition from certain Asian and Middle Eastern airlines on long-haul routes, and legal restrictions on some direct flights from the East Coast.

Previously, Ms. Trottenberg served under Mayor Bill de Blasio as New York City’s transportation commissioner from 2014 to 2020. In that role, she oversaw the city’s Vision Zero program to reduce traffic fatalities, and expanded bike and bus lanes.

She was also a top transportation official in the Obama administration, serving as assistant secretary in the Department of Transportation and then as the department’s undersecretary for policy. She has also worked as an aide to the Senate.

What’s next: Biden needs a new candidate.

It is unclear how long Ms. Trottenberg will serve as acting administrator of the FAA. The White House has not yet named a new candidate to head the bureau.

Do you work in aviation? The Times wants to hear your story. Share your experience with us below and you can learn more about it our coverage here. We especially want to hear from people who work (or have worked for) airports or airlines, or who are part of government agencies that help keep the aviation industry going. We will not publish any part of your submission without your permission.