Airline Union: Essential Information for Travelers Concerning Vistara and Air India Merger
Delhi: Vistara Airlines bids adieu as it ends its operations under its current brand on November 11. From November 12, all Vistara services will be consolidated with Air India. This marks the culmination of a merger process that began almost two years ago.
The unification of Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, with Air India, a Tata Group entity, aims at streamlining operations and delivering a more cohesive travel experience to passengers.
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As part of the deal, Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1% stake in the newly consolidated Air India. This transition received approval from the Centre, including clearance for foreign direct investment (FDI) by Singapore Airlines in Air India.
Effective September 3, Vistara will no longer accept bookings for travel beyond November 11. From this date, all operations previously managed by Vistara will be transferred to Air India. Passengers with bookings for flights after November 11 will be redirected to Air India's booking system.
"Vistara will operate until November 11, 2025," the airline confirmed. From November 12 onwards, all Vistara aircraft, along with their crews, will transition to Air India. The routes previously operated by Vistara will become part of Air India's expanded network.
The merger was first announced in November 2022, with both airlines working collaboratively to ensure a seamless transition. Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity for passengers and staff during the changeover. "Cross-functional teams from Air India and Vistara have been working together for over two years to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for our passengers, staff, and valued customers," Wilson stated.
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For passengers already booked on Vistara flights post-November 12, the transition will be handled automatically. While flight numbers will change to reflect Air India's operations, schedules, aircraft, and crews will remain consistent until early 2025. Both airlines have prepared a set of FAQs to assist travelers through this period of transition.
In essence, the Air India-Vistara merger was legally and operationally completed in late 2024. It integrated fleets, routes, employees, and systems to create a larger unified Air India full-service airline under Tata Group ownership with Singapore Airlines as a minority stakeholder. The combined airline operates an expanded global network and fleet, continuing Vistara's service standards within Air India's brand framework.
Enrichment Insights:- The timeline and details of the Vistara-Air India merger, including ownership structure and changes in operations and schedules, were identified and planned over a period of two years.- The unified Air India Group now operates over 8,300 weekly flights on 312 routes, connecting more than 100 domestic and international destinations with a fleet of 300 aircraft.- The consolidation efforts align with Tata Group's five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI, aiming for Air India Group to establish itself as a world-class global aviation company with an Indian core.
The consolidation of Vistara, a former joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, with Air India, a Tata Group entity in the business sector, leads to Singapore Airlines acquiring a 25.1% stake in the newly amalgamated Air India in the finance domain.
The unified Air India, as a result of the merger, operates an expanded global network and fleet, continuing Vistara's service standards within Air India's brand framework, offering cohesive travel experiences to passengers.
