Norman Mineta, the only Democrat in the Bush administration cabinet, will leave next month as transportation secretary, having overseen the woes of the aviation industry after 9/11 and the bankruptcies of some of the biggest US airlines, United, Delta and Northwest.

Mr Mineta, 74, a congressman for 20 years, was appointed by President Bill Clinton as secretary of commerce, becoming the first Asian-American cabinet member. He moved to transportation under Mr Clinton before becoming the first cabinet member to switch directly to a Republican administration.