Digital Scoop India Official Platform of Digital Scoop India Featuring Latest & Best News #Articles #Bytes #Entertainment #DigitalScoopMagazine
Related Articles
Vistara, the airline celebrated for its premium service, marked its final journey in the Indian skies as it prepares for a complete merger with Air India on Monday. The merger, announced in 2022, is a strategic alliance between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines to create a robust full-service carrier capable of dominating both domestic and international markets. The Vistara brand, a joint venture with a 51:49 ownership between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, will cease independent operations as it integrates fully into Air India.
On Sunday, Vistara’s Goa-Bengaluru flight resonated with nostalgia, playing the iconic song Kal Ho Na Ho as it touched down, a sentimental moment for crew and passengers. In an Instagram post, Vistara expressed, “As the plane ascends, so do our dreams; let’s glide toward the future, where the sky isn’t the limit, but just the beginning.”
Transition and Customer Migration
Over recent months, around 270,000 Vistara passengers have been successfully migrated to Air India. Additionally, over 4.5 million members of Vistara’s loyalty program are being integrated into Air India’s program. To ensure smooth transitions, Air India has stationed help desks and deployed support staff wearing “How may I assist you?” T-shirts at key locations. Self-service kiosks and Vistara ticket counters will gradually transition to Air India facilities, and all Vistara flights will adopt a new Air India code beginning with ‘2’.
The Merger’s Hurdles and New Synergies
The merger journey faced significant operational challenges, including pilot shortages and concerns among Vistara staff over aligning salaries with Air India’s pay scale. Once completed, Singapore Airlines will retain a 25.1% stake in Air India with an additional investment of ₹3,194.5 crore in the Tata-owned airline. The combined fleet, now over 200 aircraft, will offer expansive connectivity to 90 destinations. Air India has added six new Airbus A350 wide-body jets to its fleet, recently launched on routes from Delhi to London and New York.
Managerial Reshuffle
The merger is also leading to notable leadership changes. Vistara’s CEO, Vinod Kanan, will now serve as Chief Integration Officer for the merged entity and will report directly to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. Other leadership transitions include Vistara’s Chief Commercial Officer Deepak Rajawat assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer at Air India Express. Meanwhile, senior executives like Deepa Chadha (HR) and Vinod Bhatt (CIO) will transition to roles in other Tata Group companies. Vistara’s CFO, Niyant Maru, will retire at the end of his current term.
Concerns Over Retirement Age
A contentious issue has emerged among Air India pilots as they grapple with differing retirement ages between the two entities. While Vistara pilots retire at 60, Air India pilots must retire at 58. Despite adjustments in pay parity and working conditions, the age disparity remains unresolved.
Vistara’s Legacy in Indian Aviation
Launched in 2015 following the liberalization of foreign direct investment, Vistara quickly established itself as a premium choice for Indian travelers. Known for its exceptional service, quality meals, and comfortable experience, Vistara developed a loyal customer base in just under a decade. With the merger, the Indian aviation sector’s full-service carriers now reduce to just one, leaving a nostalgic gap for loyal Vistara customers. Social media was abuzz with tributes from frequent travelers fondly sharing memories of their flights with the airline.
IndiGo Steps into the Premium Market
The void left by Vistara’s departure is creating new opportunities, with IndiGo announcing the introduction of business class services on select domestic routes starting in mid-November, beginning with the popular Delhi-Mumbai route. This shift in strategy reflects IndiGo’s response to the growing demand for premium travel in India, as more passengers seek quality service and a comfortable flying experience.
As Vistara bids farewell, the brand’s legacy of quality service continues to influence India’s aviation landscape, now in the hands of Air India, which aims to honor that legacy in its journey ahead.
Sources By Agencies
