Vistara Ends 9-Year Journey Today: Air India Takes Over With Special Code, Here’s Everything You Need to Know
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After becoming a favourite to many air travellers, full-service carrier Vistara will finally bid adieu to the skies and operate its last flight on November 11.
Vistara was launched nine years ago in January 2015 as a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. (PTI photo)
After becoming a favourite to many air travellers, full-service carrier Vistara will finally bid adieu to the skies and operate its last flight on Monday. The Tata group-owned airline was launched nine years ago in January 2015 as a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. From November 12, all Vistara flights will operate as Air India flights after the merger.
Why Have Vistara and Air India Been Merged?
The Air India-Vistara mergers comes as part of Tata group’s strategic move to merge its airline entities under the Air India brand, aiming to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. The government in August 2024 approved the foreign direct investment by Singapore Airlines as part of the merger.
After the merger, Singapore Airlines (SA) will have a 25.1 per cent stake in Tata Group-owned Air India. In 2015, Vistara was set up as a JV with SA’s 49 per cent stake.
What Will Happen to Vistara Bookings Beyond November 11?
Vistara had closed all its booking on September 3. The tickets were allowed to be booked for travel till November 11. However, those who had earlier booked Vistara tickets for travel on November 12 or afterwards, their tickets will be transferred to Air India flights.
Also, Club Vistara has joined hands with Air India Flying Returns to become Maharaja Club. Customers can access to their account on http://airindia.com after November 12.
Vistara Aircrafts to Have Special Codes ‘AI 2’ After Air India Merger
The Vistara aircraft will be run by Air India under a special four-digit code beginning with ‘AI 2’.
For example, UK 955 will become AI 2955. This special coding will also help customers identify them while booking on www.airindia.com after November 12.
“The routes and schedule operated by Vistara aircraft will continue to be the same, alongside the Vistara in-flight experience that includes the product and service such as menu and cutlery on the Vistara aircraft. It will also be serviced by the same crew,” Air India has said in a statement.
Air India and Vistara together have more than 23,500 employees.
Vistara-Air India Merger: A Complete Timeline of Tata Group’s Aviation Business
1932: Tata Airlines Founded
- Founder: J.R.D. Tata establishes Tata Airlines, India’s first airline.
- Operation: Began with a single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, flying mail and passengers between Karachi and Bombay.
1946: Tata Airlines Becomes Air India
- Transition: Tata Airlines was renamed Air India.
- Nationalisation: In 1953, the Government of India acquired a 49% stake in Air India, later leading to complete nationalisation.
2001: Tata Group Expresses Interest in Air India
- Proposal: Tata Group, in partnership with Singapore Airlines, bids to acquire a stake in Air India, but the bid is unsuccessful.
2013: Tata Group Re-enters Aviation
- Joint Ventures: Tata Group partners with AirAsia Berhad and Singapore Airlines to enter the Indian aviation market.
- AirAsia India: Launched as a low-cost carrier.
- Vistara: Launched as a full-service airline in partnership with Singapore Airlines.
2020: Tata Group Bids for Air India
- Background: The Indian government decides to privatize Air India.
- Bidding: Tata Group submits a bid to acquire Air India, including its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express.
October 2021: Tata Group Acquires Air India
- Acquisition: Tata Group wins the bid for Air India, marking its return to the airline after nearly 70 years.
- Details: The acquisition includes Air India, Air India Express, and a 50% stake in Air India SATS (AISATS).
January 2022: Tata Group Acquires Air India
- Acquisition: Tata Group acquires loss-ridden Air India from the government at a cost of Rs 18,000 crore.
- Air India Express: Tata also gains the authority to operate Air India Express, a fully-owned low-cost subsidiary of Air India.
- Consolidation: Tata Group begins the process of consolidating its airline companies under the Air India brand.
November 2022: AirAsia India Fully Acquired by Tata Group
- Acquisition: Tata Sons acquires the remaining 16.33% stake in AirAsia India from AirAsia Berhad, making it a fully-owned subsidiary.
- Merger Plans: Plans to merge AirAsia India with Air India Express to streamline operations.
November 2023: Vistara Merger with Air India Announced
- May 2024: With the Air India-Vistara merger in progress, the assessment of over 7,000 employees is completed.
August 2024: Govt Approves Singapore Airlines’ Investment
- The Centre clears the last roadblock to national carrier Air India Ltd’s merger with smaller rival Vistara, approving a S$360 million ($276 million) investment by Singapore Airlines Ltd. into the new combined carrier.
- The FDI nod paves the way for Singapore Airlines’ investment worth S$360 million ($276 million) into the new combined carrier.
- Vistara announces its last flight for November 11, and stops booking after September 3.
All customers who have already booked with Vistara for travel November 12, 2024, onwards will have their tickets transferred to Air India, Vistara said in the statement.
