Vistara, a prominent Tata Group airline, recently announced a strategic decision to trim its flight capacity by 10%, equating to the cancellation of approximately 25-30 flights daily.
This measure aims to stabilize operations by April amidst ongoing merger proceedings with Air India.
Previously operating around 350 flights daily, the airline cited a surge in pilot absences, notably due to discontent over proposed salary reforms, as a key factor driving this reduction.
The airline’s spokesperson stated, “This will take us back to the same level of flight operations as at the end of February 2024, and provide the much-needed resilience and buffer in the roasters”. They elaborated that operations are being reduced by approximately 25-30 flights daily, or about 10% of their previous capacity.
Most of the cancellations are within the domestic network and have been planned ahead to lessen passenger disruption. “All affected passengers have been accommodated on other flights as needed”, the spokesperson added.
Vistara's CEO, Vinod Kannan, attributed the disruptions to an overstretched pilot roster, exacerbated by concerns over impending contractual changes preceding the merger.
Pilot groups have expressed dissatisfaction with proposed salary adjustments aligning with Air India's structure, fearing potential reductions in guaranteed pay.
Assurances from CEO Vinod Kannan during a recent virtual meeting aimed to assuage pilot concerns, outlining forthcoming opportunities for increased earnings post-merger.
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