In August 2014, TATA-SIA Airlines Ltd launched the brand name and logo of its airline. Named Vistara, it meant “limitless expanse”. The airline now has a late date of operation, achieving nearly a decade in Indian skies. Vistara will operate its last flight on November 11, 2024 after which it will have unified operations under the Air India brand.
The announcement came after Singapore Airlines informed the Singapore Stock exchange about the FDI nod it received in India to infuse cash and have a 25.1% stake in Air India, the rest 74.9% stake will be with the Tata group with which it had a 49:51 JV for Air Vistara.
Starting 03 September 2024, customers will, progressively, no longer be able to make bookings with Vistara for travel on or after 12 November 2024. All Vistara aircraft thereafter will be operated by Air India and bookings for the routes operated by these aircraft will be redirected to Air India’s website. Vistara will continue to take bookings and operate flights as usual till 11 November 2024.
The airline has put up a page to answer all the questions related to this merger. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We are immensely grateful to all our customers for their support and patronage over the last 10 years. As we progress further in our growth journey, we want to emphasize that this merger is about offering them more choice with a larger fleet and a wider network, while elevating the overall travel experience. Vistara and Air India are committed to ensuring that this transition is smooth and hassle-free. We are excited about this new phase in our journey and look forward to welcoming our customers again soon – as Air India.” Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said, “Cross-functional teams from Air India and Vistara have been working together for many months to make the transition of aircraft, flying crew, ground-based colleagues and, most importantly, our valued customers, into the new Air India as seamless as possible. The joint team looks forward to offering our guests an expanded network, additional flight options, an enhanced frequent flyer program and the best of both antecedent airlines and are grateful for the support of our loyal customers through this next phase of building a world class, world scale, global airline with an Indian heart.”
The airline had got a nod from Competition Commission of India in July 2024, while it had announced its intention to merge the two entities back in November 2022, in the middle of COVID and within a year of Tata group acquiring Air India. Back then, the airline had set March 2024 as the target date for the merger. The legal aspects took time.
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Published by Ameya
A management professional with interests in Aviation, Public Transport, Travel & Food
View all posts by Ameya
Published
August 30, 2024