Summary Vistara will soon stop accepting bookings under its brand. The airline will merge with Air India possibly before the year ends. Singapore Airlines has also received the Indian Government's nod to invest in a consolidated Air India.
Things are progressing rapidly at Vistara and Air India as the two airlines prepare for their merger in the coming months. Vistara has announced that it will no longer accept bookings under its brand for travel beyond November 11, while Singapore Airlines announced that it has received the government’s approval for its proposed investment in the Air India Group—both important developments for Air India's future. Vistara’s transition In preparation for its merger with Air India, Indian full-service airline Vistara has announced that guests will no longer be able to make bookings with the carrier for travel on or after November 12, 2024.
Vistara’s aircraft will be operated by Air India after that and all bookings for travel after November 11 will be directed to Air India’s website. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, commented, “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.” It really is the end of an era, as Vistara is loved by many Indians.
While the closure of its brand was inevitable, the official statement from the airline now puts a timer on that decision. During this transition, both Vistara and Air India will provide the necessary support, consistent communication, and convenience to all customers. There’s a special FAQ section on Vistara’s website for more information on this.
Check out more Indian aviation news here. SIA gets government nod for investment In another important development for the future of a consolidated Air India, Singapore Airlines has received the Indian government’s approval for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Air India Group. Singapore Airlines holds a 49% share in Vistara and will eventually have a 25.
1% share in the consolidated Air India after the merger. Apart from the latest FDI approval, Singapore Airlines has also bagged other mandatory clearances and approvals, including those from antitrust agencies, paving the path for a smooth business transaction in the near future. Full steam ahead The Tata Group, which owns Vistara and Air India, is moving ahead swiftly with the merger of the two airlines.
Earlier, it was estimated that the merger would be completed sometime in 2025. However, recent developments and reports suggest that everything will be finalized this year. Bringing together two airlines is a long process that requires several approvals as well as critical decisions related to their employees, fleet, and network.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson commented on the upcoming merger, "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 ..
." The airline will merge with another Indian full-service carrier called Vistara..
