RoyalJet has appointed Ashok Kumar as vice president for resources and transformation, expanding the responsibilities of a long-serving executive as the operator pursues digital transformation and fleet renewal initiatives.

Kumar brings more than 30 years of aviation experience across finance, corporate services and operational leadership. A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a chartered financial analyst, he has built a career across some of the Middle East's best-known aviation organisations.

Having previously served as vice president of finance and corporate services at RoyalJet, Kumar has spent nearly two decades with the Abu Dhabi-based operator. During that period, he oversaw a business portfolio generating approximately AED1 billion in annual revenue while leading more than 400 employees. His responsibilities included financial management, cost optimisation and enterprise risk strategy.

Before joining RoyalJet, Kumar worked as financial business support manager at Gulf Air. Earlier, he spent nine years as management accountant at Presidential Flight, the UAE's government aviation directorate established under the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, where he gained experience in high-security aviation operations.

Kumar began his career at Ernst & Young, developing expertise in accounting, risk management and financial controls.

Ashok Kumar, vice president, resources and transformation at RoyalJet, says: “I am honoured to take on this expanded mandate at RoyalJet, an organisation I have had the privilege of serving for nearly two decades. As we enter this next chapter, my focus will be on digital transformation and fleet replacement, two strategic priorities that will position RoyalJet for sustainable growth.”