Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) announced on Monday the appointment of John Wiitala as its new Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering. In his new capacity, Wiitala will be responsible for leading a team dedicated to maintaining safety and compliance standards for over 237 Boeing aircraft across multiple maintenance bases.
Wiitala's purview will include managing line maintenance, as well as airframe, component, and engine maintenance. His role will also encompass quality assurance, maintenance planning, engineering, reliability, and fleet project oversight.
Prior to joining Alaska Airlines, Wiitala amassed 34 years of experience at United Airlines, culminating in his role as Vice President and Chief Engineer, where he supervised technical operations, safety, and compliance for United's fleet.
On Monday, Alaska Airlines' shares closed at $64.40, marking a 0.66% increase. After-hours trading saw a modest rise, closing at $64.41, representing a 0.02% uptick.