Alaska Airlines Appoints John Wiitala as New Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering

Alaska Airlines Appoints John Wiitala as New Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering

Alaska Airlines has announced John Wiitala as its new vice president of maintenance and engineering. In this pivotal leadership role, Wiitala will oversee the maintenance and engineering teams responsible for ensuring the safety and compliance of Alaska’s fleet of over 237 Boeing aircraft across multiple maintenance bases.

Wiitala brings a wealth of experience to Alaska Airlines, joining after a distinguished 34-year tenure with United Airlines. At United, he served as vice president and chief engineer of tech operations, safety, and compliance, overseeing the airline’s expansive fleet. Prior to that, he held the role of vice president of technical services and contributed to United’s growth and operational excellence in several engineering positions, including director of engineering and managing director of project engineering.

Leadership in Maintenance and Engineering

Wiitala’s responsibilities at Alaska Airlines will encompass a wide array of operational and strategic areas. These include line maintenance operations, airframe and engine maintenance, quality assurance, maintenance planning, engineering, reliability, and managing fleet projects. He will also oversee stores and distribution, ensuring seamless support for Alaska Airlines’ operations.

Transformative Achievements

At United Airlines, Wiitala played a central role in the airline’s growth and transformation. During his tenure, United expanded its operations from a fleet of under 450 aircraft to 944. He was instrumental in the successful integration of United and Continental Airlines, guiding the airline through one of the industry’s largest mergers and enhancing multi-fleet operations.

A Career Built on Expertise

Wiitala’s aviation career began in 1988 as a project engineer at Aircraft Modular Products in Miami. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa and has actively supported youth aviation programs. As a board member of Argonaut/Davis High School in Cleveland, he has helped empower young people to pursue certifications as pilots and aviation technicians.

Alaska Airlines’ choice of Wiitala signals a strong commitment to operational excellence and fleet safety, as the airline continues to grow and innovate in the competitive aviation industry.

“With over three decades in technical operations’ leadership roles to include both narrow and widebody aircraft, I welcome John’s expertise, leadership and vision as Alaska becomes a global airline,” said Constance von Muehlen, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Alaska Airlines. “John will lead our team to uphold the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance for Alaska’s fleet while combining operations with Hawaiian Airlines.” 

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