Marking a significant milestone in Indian aviation, the integrated Air India-Vistara entity launched its first joint flight from Doha to Mumbai on Monday night. The flight, designated as AI2286, departed from Doha at 10:07 pm local time and was scheduled to arrive in Mumbai in the early hours of Tuesday. This inaugural international operation highlights the beginning of an extensive consolidation in India’s civil aviation sector, as Tata Group merges its two airlines to streamline operations and expand its global reach.
The merger officially ends Vistara’s independent operations as of November 12, 2024. While the Vistara brand will no longer operate under its original identity, its routes, aircraft, and crew are set to remain active under the Air India banner until at least March 2025, ensuring minimal disruption for passengers. Following the merger, all former Vistara flights have been assigned a new “AI2XXX” flight code to help passengers identify these flights in booking systems.
This new chapter in Air India’s history underscores Tata Group’s ambition to create a unified and powerful brand in the competitive aviation market. Vistara, which was a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has brought Singapore Airlines into the new Air India entity with a 25.1% stake. This partnership strengthens Air India’s positioning by integrating Vistara’s expertise in customer service and international operations with Air India’s extensive domestic and international network.
The first domestic Air India-Vistara flight under the new structure took off shortly after the Doha flight, with the Mumbai-Delhi route served by an A320 aircraft. This consolidation has taken months of preparation, involving coordinated efforts from cross-functional teams to integrate not only aircraft and flight crews but also ground staff and customer service resources. Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, stated that these teams worked tirelessly to make the transition as seamless as possible for customers, who can expect to experience the combined resources and standards of both airlines.
The merger journey began in November 2022, when the airlines announced the strategic decision to consolidate their operations under one brand. The phased integration has been planned to ensure a smooth transition for travellers, with Vistara bookings gradually restricted for travel dates beyond November 12, 2024. As the combined Air India-Vistara entity embarks on this new phase, it aims to leverage Vistara’s strengths in customer experience and premium services while expanding Air India’s fleet and route network. For passengers, the new brand promises a richer and more cohesive travel experience, enhanced connectivity, and access to more destinations across both domestic and international markets.
