Timothy L. Arel

As the acting Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Timothy L. Arel is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient and secure air traffic services for approximately 50,000 aircraft operating every day over nearly 30 million square miles across the National Airspace System (NAS).

Mr. Arel provides leadership and guidance to more than 30,000 employees and oversees the daily operation of the ATO. The organization is also responsible for operationalizing airspace modernization initiatives and integrating unmanned aircraft systems and commercial space operations into the NAS.

The ATO is made up of air traffic controllers, technicians, engineers, pilots and a host of other technical and support personnel who provide services as part of eight service units: Air Traffic Services, Technical Operations, System Operations, Safety and Technical Training, Mission Support Services, Management Services, Flight Programs Operations and the Program Management Organization.

Mr. Arel began his FAA career as an air traffic controller in 1989, developing expertise in air traffic safety, resource management, labor relations and training.

Throughout his 33-year career with the FAA, Mr. Arel served in several ATO safety leadership roles including Director of Safety, Deputy Vice President of Safety and Technical Training, and Vice President of Air Traffic Services. He earlier managed the ATC Investigations Team, the Compliance Services Group, the Quality Assurance Group and the Safety Services Group.

He was appointed to the position of ATO Deputy Chief Operating Officer in January 2017 and began serving as acting COO in March 2022.

Mr. Arel is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has a background in public safety, having worked as an emergency medical technician, firefighter, 911 operator and police officer. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute’s Leadership for a Democratic Society and the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Driving Government Performance.