Air India-Vistara Merger Takes Flight: Key Changes Set for November

The merger between Vistara and Air India will take significant steps forward on November 12, with regulatory approvals in place. Vistara's aircraft and crew will transition to Air India, and passengers booking from Vistara's website will be redirected to Air India's. Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1% stake in the merged entity.

With regulatory approvals secured, Air India chief Campbell Wilson announced that November 12 has been set for the movement of Vistara's aircraft and crew to Air India.

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will be absorbed into Air India. Post-merger, Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1% stake in Air India, now owned by Tata Group.

The government has greenlit foreign direct investment from Singapore Airlines as part of the merger. Wilson informed staff that they are entering the final stages of this complex merger, which was announced in November 2022.

From November 12, Vistara flight numbers will transition to Air India ones, although the aircraft and crew will mostly remain unchanged until 2025. FAQs have been prepared for passengers to ease the transition.

Starting September 3, passengers booking flights through Vistara's website will be redirected to Air India's site for flights departing after November 12. Vistara bookings post-November 12 will be automatically converted to Air India flight numbers, with passengers informed individually during September.

Wilson emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth transition for both customers and colleagues as this lengthy process concludes.

(With inputs from agencies.)