Hitesh Patel

Hitesh Patel is an experienced professional with a career spanning over three decades. Hitesh began their career in 1987 as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician at Continental Airlines. In 1999, they joined JetBlue Airways as a Director of Technical Operations, where they were part of the founding team and worked under the new guidelines of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the airline. In 2004, they joined Kingfisher Airlines as an Executive Vice President of Engineering & Operations, where they maintained autonomous decision-making authority within the areas of Engineering and Maintenance, Flight Operations, Network Planning, Fleet Planning, Technical training, Corporate Affairs, budgeting and administrative affairs. In 2021, they became an Advisor to the Board of Hydroplane Ltd, a green energy technology company, and founded Blu3Aero consultancy, a boutique aviation consulting firm. In 2022, they became a Board Member - Non Executive Director at Zotus Group, an organisation dedicated to the development of humanitarian Projects and transforming Africa, and Chief Operating Officer at flypop, an innovative airline offering no frills “unbundled” services within the Low-Cost Long-Haul (LCLH) sector.

Hitesh Patel began their educational journey in 1981 when they attended Northrop University and earned an A & P degree in Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician. Hitesh then continued their studies at Northrop University, obtaining a Rotor Wing Technology degree in Helicopter Maintenance in 1983. Patel then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where they earned a Bachelor's degree in Aviation Maintenance Management in 1987. Hitesh subsequently returned to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and obtained a Master of Business Administration - MBA in Aviation Management and Operations in 1988. In 2003, Patel completed a Six Sigma – Black belt program at Villanova University.