Vistara Chairman Bhaskar Bhat highlighted that the upcoming merger between Vistara and Air India will integrate the best practices of both airlines to enhance passenger services. Set to be completed by November 11, the merger is part of Tata Group’s consolidation of its airline business. Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will merge with Air India, while Air India Express has already merged with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).
Bhat emphasized the importance of empowering frontline staff to deliver continuous improvements in customer service. He also noted that the merged entity will operate under a unified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), with both airlines sharing their best practices. The Vistara livery will remain for a while due to practical challenges like aircraft repainting, which could disrupt revenues.
Speaking at the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) Symposium, Bhat reassured passengers concerned about the continuity of Vistara’s high-quality services post-merger. While Air India has faced service challenges during its transformation, efforts are being made to ensure a seamless experience for customers.
An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the merger process, ongoing for over a year, will preserve the Vistara experience, with Vistara’s aircraft and crew continuing to operate under new Air India flight numbers. Though Vistara’s brand will eventually phase out, Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1% stake in the merged entity, as part of the merger deal announced in November 2022.
