Vistara Airlines’ Last Day of Operations Before Merging with Air India

Vistara Airlines Merger: Today, November 11, marks the last day Vistara Airlines will operate under its own brand. The airline will fly its final flights today before officially merging with Air India tomorrow, November 12. In a heartfelt message, Vistara shared on social media: “As the plane ascends, so do our dreams; let’s glide toward the future, where the sky isn’t the limit, but just the beginning.”

End of an Era for Full-Service Airlines

With Vistara's closure as a standalone airline, the number of full-service carriers in India will drop to just one. Over the past 17 years, India had five full-service airlines, but now only Air India will remain. This change follows a long-awaited merger between Vistara and Air India.

Details of the Merger

After the merger, Vistara will no longer operate as a separate airline. Instead, its flights will be rebranded under Air India. A key part of this merger is that Singapore Airlines, which owned 49% of Vistara, will now hold a 25.1% stake in Air India. This marks the end of another Indian airline jointly owned by a foreign carrier after the liberalisation of foreign investment rules.

Changes After the Merger

Air India has outlined several key changes that customers will experience after the merger. In the first month following the merger, around 115,000 customers who had booked flights with Vistara will travel with Air India.

Vistara's aircraft will now operate under Air India's name, identified by a unique four-digit Air India flight code starting with "AI". For instance, Vistara flight UK 955 will now be AI 2955. Customers will see these changes reflected when booking tickets through the Air India website starting November 12.

Importantly, the routes and schedules that Vistara currently operates will remain the same, and passengers can expect the same in-flight experience, products, and services, with the same Vistara crew members.

Support for a Smooth Transition

Air India has made several preparations to help customers adjust to the changes following the merger with Vistara. They announced that additional customer support staff would be stationed at key touchpoints, such as major airports, wearing "How may I assist you?" Air India x Vistara-branded t-shirts to offer assistance. Airport security personnel would guide customers holding Vistara tickets to the nearest Air India staff or help desk.

Vistara’s airport ticketing offices and check-in counters would gradually transition to Air India facilities. Self-service kiosks were set to display notices informing passengers that for Vistara flights under code AI2, they should select Air India for check-in starting November 12, 2024.

At international airports, customer support staff in Air India x Vistara-branded attire would be available to assist passengers and provide information at check-in counters. Additionally, any customers who contacted the Vistara call centre would automatically be redirected to Air India representatives to ensure a smooth transition.

Also read: School Bus Services in Maharashtra to Be Suspended for Two Days Due to Elections

SUMMARY

Today, November 11, marks the last day Vistara Airlines will operate under its brand before merging with Air India on November 12. This merger will reduce the number of full-service carriers in India to just one. Vistara’s flights will now operate under Air India’s name, and customers will see a change in flight codes, with Vistara flights rebranded with an Air India code. The routes and services will remain the same, and the same crew will continue to serve passengers. To ensure a smooth transition, Air India has made several arrangements, including extra customer support staff at key airports, gradual changes to Vistara’s check-in counters, and updated kiosks. Customers who contact the Vistara call center will be redirected to Air India representatives for further assistance.