Ex-Kingfisher honcho, Hitesh Patel named CEO of Mauritius based Veling LTD

NEW DELHI: Mauritius-based aircraft leasing company Veling Ltd has named Hitesh Patel, the former executive vice-president of grounded carrier Kingfisher Airlines, as chief executive officer.

Patel with take charge from the July 15, 2013, the company said in a statement. Patel, a veteran of the aviation industry with more than 27 years of experience, quit Kingfisher in May. An aviation ministry official familiar with his departure said Patek had gone back to the US for good.

Patel started his career as aircraft engineer at American carrier Continental Airways before moving to Jet Blue, another US carrier, as director of technical operations and accountable manager.

In late 2004, Kingfisher Airlines, recruited him, to initiate the setup, launch and ramping up of the operations of the airline. At the time of his exit, he was in charge of engineering and maintenance, flight operations, fleet planning, corporate affairs, technical training, network planning, budgeting and administrative affairs at Kingfisher. Veling was among the companies that leased aircraft to Kingfisher.

A spokeswoman had earlier said its aircraft was still with Kingfisher. The Veling statement reveals that the company owns 12 aircraft, including four A340-300s on lease to Sri Lankan Airlines, one ATR 72-500 for sale and seven B777-200/200ERs on lease to Gulf carrier Emirates. There was no mention of the Kingfisher aircraft.