Biden plans to nominate Denver airport CEO to head the FAA

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Wednesday that President Joe Biden plans to nominate Phillip Washington, the CEO of Denver International Airport, to lead the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA is currently led by acting chief, Billy Nolen, after former pilot and Delta Air Lines executive Stephen Dickson stepped down March 31.

The agency has come under criticism for its approval of the Boeing 737 Max jetliner, which was later involved in two deadly crashes. This summer, airlines have accused the FAA of causing many flights to be delayed or canceled, partly because of a shortage of air traffic controllers.

Washington led the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority before Denver officials tapped him last year to run their airport. He served in the U.S. Army, and holds a bachelor's degree in business from Columbia College and a master's degree in management from Webster University, according to the White House.