Lokesh Amaranayaka was appointed vice president of airport operations and in-flight in September 2024.
He is responsible for all guest-facing, ramp, baggage handling, and contract services at airports across Hawaiian’s global network, focusing on safety, performance and reliability. Additionally, he oversees in-flight operations and training for over 2,000 flight attendants who deliver the carrier’s award-winning, authentic Hawaiian hospitality.
Before joining Hawaiian in April 2023 as vice president of airport operations, Lokesh spent 24 years at American Airlines, where he started as a reservations agent and held numerous airport roles before leading the carrier’s operations at Los Angeles International Airport. During his tenure, he managed front-line operations at American’s Dallas headquarters and major airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Miami International Airport.
Lokesh is a McKinsey & Company’s Black Executive Leadership Program graduate and a Management Leadership for Tomorrow Career Advancement Program alumnus.