AI officials: No aircraft to be grounded during Vistara-Air India merger

The merger of Vistara with Air India is anticipated to bring about a more robust airline. File pic

The Vistara-Air India merger, which recently received the green light from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), has signalled a significant consolidation in the Indian aviation sector. The merger aims to combine the strengths of both airlines without grounding any aircraft, ensuring uninterrupted services for passengers.

"With the approval from NCLT, the intricate process of merging Air India and Vistara is set to commence. One of the crucial steps in this merger is the transfer of crew members from Vistara to Air India. The integration will involve nearly 7,000 Vistara employees who have been identified to shift to Air India. This process is expected to start soon, highlighting the commitment to a smooth transition for both the staff and the airline's operations," said a source from Air India.

"The merger is anticipated to bring about a more robust airline, capable of leveraging the extensive network and resources of Air India while integrating the premium service quality that Vistara is known for. The unified entity will likely offer enhanced services and a wider range of destinations to its passengers, maintaining the high standards set by both airlines," said a senior industry staffer and flight instructor.

"Already, the transfer process for the non-flying employees has started, with 60 staffers already shifted from Vistara to Air India. More than 100 pilots have already been transferred between both airlines," said a Vistara staffer. "Employees have been told that they will receive their roles in the new organisation based on merit. The whole process will be transparent. By the end of this year, the Vistara brand will cease to exist," the staffer added.

A staffer in the airline told mid-day that both airlines will gradually shift to the same check-in counters at major airports. They will no longer use different resources at airports. To harmonise the network and fleet of both airlines, the airlines have appointed a lot of consultants like BCG and Sabre, who are working on the integration of Human Resources and the network.

Industry experts view this merger as a strategic move to strengthen the competitive position of Air India in the global aviation market. "By ensuring that no aircraft are grounded during the transition, Air India aims to maintain its operational efficiency and service reliability," said a senior flight instructor currently working with a prominent airline.

Though there is no official confirmation from Tata Group or Air India about the exact number of months required for the merger, industry sources suggest that the process will take anywhere between 5 to 6 months.