VINOD KANNAN
Vistara nimble enough to make course corrections: CEO Vinod Kannan
Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan stated the airline is agile in making adjustments during disruptions, as it navigates its merger with Air India. The carrier aims for growth through the merger, emphasizing the importance of full service carriers in India's market. Kannan expects the merger to be finalized by year-end, pending NCLT approval.
Domestic airfares on northward trajectory; still among lowest globally: Experts
Domestic airfares in India have surged up to 40% in key routes due to higher traffic and capacity constraints in the last six quarters. India is one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets, with an average of 4.5 lakh passengers daily. However, capacity constraints are a key challenge as many aircraft are grounded due to supply chain issues. Aviation consultancy firm CAPA India reported that average fares on the top 20 domestic routes had not moved significantly in nominal terms for the last two decades, until the last six quarters.
Tatas to conclude Vistara- AI merger by year end
The merger will make the Air India group India’s largest international carrier, connecting five of the seven continents, operating more flights on international routes than any other airline, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said, according to people who attended the townhall.
AI-Vistara merger: Fitment of over 7,000 staff to be complete in June
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson along with Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan on Monday held a one-and-a-half-hour long townhall meeting with the employees of both carriers about the proposed merger.
Air India, Vistara CEOs to address staff about proposed merger on May 13
Air India and Vistara chiefs will address staff on May 13 regarding the proposed merger of the two airlines. The merger, announced in November 2022, entails Vistara merging with Air India, with Singapore Airlines acquiring a 25.1% stake in Air India. Vistara, a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group, is part of the deal. The townhall meeting, to be held in a phygital mode, will feature Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan, who is also the Chief Integration Officer for the merger.
Tatas to speed up Air India-Vistara merger
Tata Sons is hastening the integration of Air India and Vistara to operate as a single airline by year-end. Both airlines have initiated merging their operations manuals and transferring flying crew. This move simplifies Tata's aviation business, merging Air India and Vistara into a full-service airline and integrating AirAsia India and Air India Express into a low-cost carrier. While Air India's CEO had suggested that Vistara's brand identity wouldn't change before 2025, the merger could happen sooner.
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Vistara staff to get more clarity on their new roles by June: CEO Vinod Kannan to employees
"The leadership teams and relevant cross functional teams have now started meeting more frequently to come up with the organogram for the merged entity and process is almost complete for most verticals and we intend to complete this process by the end of this month, " Kannan said in a letter to employees which was reviewed by ET.
"Worst is behind us," says Vistara CEO as pilot woes slashed capacity; time to be customer friendly now
Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan assured staff that the worst is over following flight disruptions due to pilot issues. Operations stabilized after capacity cuts and resignations. Challenges included pilot rosters, new contracts, and operational issues. Kannan acknowledges learning experience and emphasizes customer focus for airline's recovery. Compensation offered to affected passengers.
Air India plans to send some narrow body pilots on deputation to Vistara
Air India plans to send first officers capable of operating narrow-body A320 family planes to Vistara to assist with its pilot shortage. Around 30 such pilots may be deputed to Vistara, which has faced operational disruptions. Vistara has already deployed Air India pilots for its Boeing 787 planes.
2 years after privatisation, Air India's turnaround is still on the tarmac
Tata Group acquired Air India in January 2022 from the government, aiming to revive the debt-ridden carrier. However, the merger with Vistara faces hurdles as pilots protest pay changes. Despite efforts to restore Air India's former glory, challenges persist, including operational issues and staff unrest, impacting the turnaround process.
Vistara to cancel 10% flights for April
Vistara plans to cancel 25-30 daily flights to manage crew shortages. It might result in fare hikes, particularly in metro routes. DGCA has approved more summer flights. The airline also said flight cancellations are mostly on domestic routes.
Vistara to discuss rostering system with pilots; incorporate feedback to possible extent: CEO
Vistara chief Vinod Kannan addresses recent flight disruptions, citing pilot rostering issues due to high utilization. Discussions with pilots will lead to rostering system review. Despite some pilots' concerns about new contracts, over 98% have signed. Kannan highlights the merger with Air India as an opportunity for growth, with pilots already transitioning to wider aircraft.
Vistara chief says over 98 per cent pilots have signed new contract
Referring to the new contract for pilots, he said some pilots have some concerns and queries regarding the contract. The airline is engaging with them to clarify and resolve the concerns, Kannan said and added that "over 98 per cent of pilots have signed the new contract".
Vistara expects normal ops by May; stretched roster caused flight disruptions: CEO Vinod Kannan
The Tata Group airline cancelled many flights earlier this week due to the non-availability of pilots and has also been forced to temporarily reduce the overall flight operations in order to stabilise the situation. The carrier cancelled more than 125 flights over three days from April 1.
Vistara Airlines could cut flights amid pilot shortage, sources say
Vistara, jointly owned by Tata group and Singapore Airlines, has axed over 125 flights since April 1, as per a source. The cancellations stemmed from a wave of pilot sick leaves in late March. Some pilots took leave to protest a pay cut prior to the impending merger with Tata's Air India. The pilots cited exhaustion from a hectic schedule as a contributing factor. Two Vistara pilots disclosed this information.
Vistara instability will reduce by this week: CEO Vinod Kannan
Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan announced on Wednesday that the airline's operations would return to normalcy by the end of the week. The airline had canceled approximately 22 flights on Wednesday. Kannan explained that some flights would be reduced to allow more buffer time for pilots in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Hope airfares come to right sweet spot: Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan
While voicing concerns over irrational prices, Vistara's CEO Vinod Kannan said that fares in 2023 were even lower than in 2022 due to seasonality. Kannan cited growth of low-cost airlines and other factors for the same.
Taking all aboard for a soft landing in Air India, says Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan
The merger between the two full-service airlines of the Tata Group has already received clearance from India's antitrust body and Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan told ET that other approvals, including from foreign regulators and for foreign investment, are likely to come in the first half of next year. While this process is happening in the background, the airline jointly owned by Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines will continue to add more aircraft and routes, and invest in new products and services, he said.
Tatas may adopt Vistara’s SOPs in all airline entities
In the month of June, Air India had the maximum number of passengers affected by delays; ranked second among pan-India airlines in terms of passenger complaints (SpiceJet topped the list), and fifth in terms of on-time flight performance in a list of seven airlines, according to DGCA figures.
Vistara to respond to CCI queries by month end, says CEO Vinod Kannan
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has sought more details on the merger of Vistara with Air India, a deal that was announced in November last year. "There are certain questions that have been asked. We are going to give our response to the CCI by the end of this month. Then, the CCI will decide whether it needs to go to phase two or needs further clarification," Kannan said here.
Vistara to start direct Mumbai-London flight from June 1
"Mumbai-London will be our fourth route to Europe after connecting Frankfurt, Paris and London with Delhi. This additional gateway also offers our customers more options and flexibility with their travel itineraries," said Vinod Kannan, CEO at Vistara. The airline also said that bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including on its website, mobile app as well as travel agents.
Vistara starts Mumbai-Dammam flight; second Saudi destination after Jeddah
"We are excited to expand our presence in Saudi Arabia with the addition of Dammam as the second city in the Kingdom, after Jeddah. Integral to the Saudi Vision 2030, Dammam is a key administrative destination that is home to the largest port in the Gulf and some of the major business headquarters," Kannan had said on January 25 while announcing the commencement of the flight.
Vistara receives Airbus A321LR plane from Germany
Full service airline Vistara on Monday said it has received the Airbus A321LR plane from Germany on February 4. Jointly owned by the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, Vistara is currently in the process of merging with Air India, which is also now owned by the Steel-to-salt conglomerate.
Vistara to start Mumbai-Dammam flight from March 1; to resume Mumbai-Colombo service
"We are excited to expand our presence in Saudi Arabia with the addition of Dammam as the second city in the Kingdom, after Jeddah. Integral to the Saudi Vision 2030, Dammam is a key administrative destination that is home to the largest port in the Gulf and some of the major business headquarters," Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan said.
Vistara shelves plan to fly to US on Boeing 787 delivery delays
Singapore Airlines Ltd.’s Indian venture has shelved plans to start direct flights to the US following disruptions in deliveries of Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Vistara, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Air, is expecting to induct its remaining four Dreamliners by March 2024
Vistara to have 70 planes in fleet by mid-2024: CEO Vinod Kannan
"The percentage of capacity deployed internationally has increased. We have 25-30 per cent deployed internationally... That is quite positive and a game changer for us," Kannan said at a briefing. Vistara is set to be merged with Air India.
Vistara starts direct flights on Pune-Singapore route
"We are excited to be able to connect Pune and Singapore - two cities that were not directly connected thus far. There is a growing demand for air travel between the two cities especially from corporate travellers," Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan said.
Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan tries to calm employees anxious over airline’s merger with Air India
Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Tuesday announced the merger of Air India and Vistara to create India’s second-biggest carrier. However, the move has made Vistara executives anxious as they are unsure what their role will be in the combined entity. Industry sources have said that the uncertainty has led to many Vistara employees looking for jobs outside the company.
Vistara airlines commences daily Mumbai-Abu Dhabi flight operations
The airline, which is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited, has a fleet of 53 aircraft and has flown more than 35 million customers since starting operations.
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