John Aitken has been named the director of aviation at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (SJC), effective immediately. Aitken has been serving as interim director of aviation for the past four months following the departure of then-director Kim Becker.
Aitken has 26 years of aviation industry experience. Prior to taking on the director role he was SJC’s assistant director of aviation. He has been with the airport since 1993.
During his two-plus decades at SJC, Aitken led the redesign of the airport’s strategic plan, as well as its information technology plan. He also held a key role on the leadership team in designing, building and operating the airport’s $1.3 billion modernization of two terminals, which was completed in 2010.
“John’s broad experience with aviation management, information technology and capital improvement programs has well positioned him to lead the airport team and direct the growth of this increasingly popular airport, considered to be America’s fastest-growing airport,” said San Jose city manager Norberto Dueñas. “I’m confident he will successfully build on the outstanding efforts of our prior director.”
Aitken said he is honored to have the opportunity. “The spirit of creativity and innovation here at the airport, at city hall and in our Silicon Valley community is inspiring,” he said. “SJC is wonderful airport, both as a great place to work with a team of dedicated, creative and forward-thinking employees and as an airport that is transforming the way we travel through its adoption of technologies and efficiencies.”
SJC has an annual operating budget of $171 million, a current five-year capital improvement program of nearly $301 million and 211 full-time employees. In fiscal year 2016-2017 the airport saw a 12.7 percent growth in passengers over the prior year.
