Washington – The Senate on Jan. 1 confirmed Michael Huerta as the new administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Huerta was appointed acting administrator in December 2011 following the resignation of previous administrator Randy Babbitt.

Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, said in a press release that ALPA hopes to work with Huerta to advocate expanding pilot rest-time and duty-time rules for cargo-carrying aircraft pilots rather than only passenger-carrying aircraft pilots.

“The confirmation of Michael Huerta as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, together with a stable source of long-term funding, puts the FAA in a powerful position to safely build capacity and foster airline growth in this country,” Moak said.