Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Sean Duffy to become secretary of transportation. Today’s vote by 77 to 22 followed a 97-to-0 cloture vote on Monday to cut off debate, ensuring a filibuster would not stall consideration. The Senate Commerce Committee <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-01-23/sean-duffy-nomination-easily-clears-senate-commerce-vote">unanimously approved</a> Duffy’s nomination last week, clearing that path for one of the smoother confirmations in the White House administration.
Duffy’s appointment comes as some of the pieces in the department appear clearer. The White House last week also nominated Steven Bradbury to become deputy secretary of transportation, succeeding Polly Ellen Trottenberg, who resigned. Bradbury had served as DOT general counsel under the first Trump administration from November 2017 to January 2021 and briefly served as acting deputy secretary and acting secretary of transportation.
Assistant principal deputy and acting assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice in the Bush (43) administration, Bradbury is a long-time attorney who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Meanwhile, former NBAA COO Chris Rocheleau is said <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2025-01-23/nbaas-rocheleau-returns-faa-deputy-administrator">to have returned</a> to the FAA, where he had previously spent 22 years, as deputy administrator—although the White House has not yet announced the appointment nor has the FAA confirmed it. Unclear is whether Rocheleau is also serving as acting administrator until a successor is in place for Michael Whitaker, who also resigned.
Aviation organizations welcomed the swift confirmation of Duffy in a chorus of statements on Tuesday. “His prompt confirmation as transportation secretary ensures that government and industry have continuity in leadership and decision-making about the safety, security, and stability of all facets of the national transportation system, including business aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, praising Duffy’s experience in the congressional legislative process as a former lawmaker as well as his understanding of the importance of transportation networks.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce added: “Throughout the confirmation process, we have been impressed with Secretary Duffy’s policy knowledge and leadership credentials, which will serve him well as head of the U.S. Department of Transportation. We are encouraged by his candor about the challenges facing our aviation system and his prioritization to implement the latest FAA reauthorization law.”
National Air Transportation Association president and CEO Curt Castagna echoed those sentiments, saying, “During his confirmation hearing, Secretary Duffy demonstrated a commitment to these shared goals and a willingness to engage with Congress and industry stakeholders to ensure continued U.S. global aviation leadership.”
Meanwhile, Vertical Aviation International called Duffy “uniquely qualified” to champion technical, regulatory, and safety initiatives critical to the aviation industry, while the Air Line Pilots Association also praised Duffy’s “commitment to aviation and transportation issues that most impact Americans.”

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

U.S. Senate Confirms Sean Duffy as DOT Secretary

Duffy nomination received a 77-22 vote in the Senate

Sean Duffy’s nomination as secretary of transportation won approval on Tuesday by a 77 to 22 vote.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Entire contingent on T&I committee warned that executive actions are causing chaos

House T&I Dems Call on Duffy To Explain Funding Halts

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

EBAA and GAMA say new report shows true costs of environmental restrictions

Europe’s Economy Faces Big Hit from Green Limits on Bizav

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

More In Regulations and Government

House T&I Dems Call on Duffy To Explain Funding Halts

Entire contingent on T&I committee warned that executive actions are causing chaos

Europe’s Economy Faces Big Hit from Green Limits on Bizav

EBAA and GAMA say new report shows true costs of environmental restrictions

Utah Partners with Beta To Launch AAM Operations

Beta will install electric aircraft charging stations in Utah

NBAA’s Rocheleau Returns To FAA as Deputy Administrator

Rocheleau served as COO for NBAA

Sean Duffy Nomination Easily Clears Senate Commerce Vote

Approval paves way for full Senate consideration

Flurry of White House Actions Reaching into Aviation

Regs are on halt, ASAC dismantled, and key agency positions vacant

In Washington, Taxes, Tariffs on Upcoming Agenda

Industry hopeful of bonus depreciation renewal but wary of potential tariffs

Troy Nehls Takes Helm of House Aviation Subcommittee

Nehls will examine implementation of FAA bill

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