MUMBAI: As Vistara and Air India gear up for their highly anticipated merger, passengers are presented with a unique opportunity. With the integration set to be finalised soon, Vistara announced that starting September 3, passengers will no longer be able to book tickets for travel on or after November 12, 2024.
In an official statement, the airline said, “Beginning September 3, 2024, customers will progressively be unable to make bookings with Vistara for travel on or after November 12, 2024.”
The airline further explained that after November 11, all Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India, with bookings for these flights redirected to Air India’s website. Vistara will continue to accept bookings and operate flights as usual until November 11, 2024.
Final hurdle cleared
India recently cleared the final hurdle for the Air India-Vistara merger by authorizing a $276 million investment from Singapore Airlines Ltd into the newly merged airline.
Vistara’s final flight is scheduled for November 11, after which Air India will assume control of all Vistara aircraft, and reservations will be managed through Air India’s platform.
Vistara’s Chief Executive, Vinod Kannan, expressed gratitude for customer support over the past decade, stating, “As we move forward in our growth journey, this merger will offer customers more choices with a larger fleet and an expanded network while enhancing the overall travel experience. Both Vistara and Air India are committed to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free transition. We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to welcoming our customers again soon—as Air India.”
Fate of Club Vistara
As part of the merger, Vistara’s frequent flyer program, Club Vistara, will be phased out and integrated into Air India’s Flying Returns program. Until the transition is complete, Club Vistara will continue its regular operations.
Following the merger, Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1 per cent stake in the newly combined Air India, investing over Rs2,000 crore. The airline assured that it will keep customers updated via the Vistara and Air India websites, social media channels, and email as the merger progresses.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the merger in June, following conditional approval from Singapore’s competition regulator, the CCCS, in March. In September 2023, the Competition Commission of India also approved the deal, subject to specific conditions.
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