FAA administrator Michael Whitaker plans to resign Jan. 20

Dec. 12 (UPI) -- FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker will resign on President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Jan. 20, according to a letter he sent to the FAA workforce.

Whitaker said serving as FAA administrator has been an "honor of a lifetime."

"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," he said.

Whitaker was appointed by President Joe Biden to a five-year term that began in October 2023.

During his time as administrator, Whitaker increased scrutiny of Boeing following loss of a door plug in mid-flight on a 737 Max jet in January.

The Trump transition team hasn't commented on Whitaker's planned departure and Trump has not yet nominated anyone to be the new FAA administrator.

There's some controversy and tension between the FAA and private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Trump supporter Elon Musk threatened to sue the FAA after the agency proposed a $630,000 fine for 2023 regulatory violations.

According ot the FAA, SpaceX failed to comply with regulations during two rocket launches in 2023.

Musk is expected to have a role in the incoming Trump administration.

When that fine was proposed FAA Chief Counsel Marc Nichol said, "Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses. Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences."

Whitaker is a former FAA deputy administrator and also a former United Airlines and Supernal executive who has enjoyed bipartisan support.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth said Wednesday on a call with reporters that Whitaker works hard to keep the public safe and she said she hoped he would get to stay on.