Good morning, it is wonderful to be here at the first Paris Air Show since 2019, in my new role as Acting FAA Administrator, and also as USDOT Deputy Secretary.
I want to first thank Tom Kallman and Eric Fanning for bringing us together today, and recognize Ambassador Campbell Bauer, and my colleagues Deputy Secretary Don Graves, and Assistant Secretary Taylor-Kade.
It is great to be here at the USA Partnership pavilion, where the best of American aerospace business and technology are on display. The U.S. aerospace industry now represents 5 percent of our GDP and 2.1M jobs. Few industries can claim that. This really is the best of our nation on display.
The last time I was in France I got to visit Normandy. My father was a World War II veteran. He was a bombardier/navigator and flew one of the first planes to fly over Normandy on D-Day. So it is special for me to be here in France.
Now, I know there is great tradition of bringing the best of the aviation industry to the Paris Air Show. The best technology, best innovation, best advancements in safety and sustainability. All while we create a diverse, inclusive aviation workforce.
As we look to the future, more than ever, we must partner on safety. While we have achieved zero fatal crashes in the U.S., this is no longer good enough. We need to achieve zero serious incidents and close calls.
While we maintain our steadfast commitment to safety, we must also acknowledge that we are in the midst of a climate crisis. And we need to move quickly if we are going to achieve our shared 2050 net zero emissions goal.
With President Biden’s leadership, the U.S. has stepped up with billions of dollars to accelerate the usage of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and invest in low and zero emission aircraft technologies.
Making all of this a reality reminds us that aviation safety is too big, too complex for one country, one team, one person to solve alone.
To achieve all of this, we need to bring as many people into the industry as we can. And reflecting the diversity of our globe is not just the right thing to do, it is something we must do to solve these challenges and make this industry stronger and keep the U.S. competitive.
At both the FAA and DOT we want to create an aviation system with no close calls. We want an aviation system that is leading in innovation, gets to net-zero carbon emissions, and welcomes and includes all.
When we bring that to Paris, that will be our best.
Thank you.