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Back in 1994, Tata group and Singapore Airlines (SIA) made efforts to set up a joint venture airline in India. Six years later, they again tried to enter the country's aviation market, this time by teaming up to acquire stakes in Air India. However, the two attempts did not take-off. Finally, they realised their dream as Vistara took to the Indian skies in January 2015. On Tuesday, Tata group announced the merger of Vistara with Air India. The name 'Vistara' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Vistaar' which means 'a limitless expanse'. Vistara, which is now the country's second largest airline in terms of domestic market share, operated its first flight on January 9, 2015, from Delhi to Mumbai. In October, Vistara had a market share of 9.2 per cent. At present, Vistara connects 43 domestic and overseas destinations, operates more than 260 flights daily. It has a fleet of 54 aircraft and close to 4,500 employees. According to the airline's website, in 2013, the two legendary bran
Full service carrier Vistara is looking to rope in pilots on deputation from budget airline AirAsia India to ensure adequate crew for its expanding fleet of A320 planes, according to sources. Both airlines are part of the Tata group and the latest move indicates efforts to have more synergy as well as optimal use of manpower among group carriers. Tata group also owns Air India and Air India Express. Vistara -- a joint venture between the Tatas and Singapore Airlines -- has a fleet of 53 aircraft. These include 41 A320s and five A321s. The airline is planning to increase the fleet to 70 planes by December 2023. AirAsia India operates a fleet of A320 planes. "Vistara has sought some pilots from AirAsia India on deputation in view of the induction of new aircraft, a proposal which the budget carrier has consented to," one of the sources told PTI on condition of anonymity. Both Vistara and AirAsia India declined to comment on the matter. According to the sources, Vistara has been ..
Full service carrier Vistara will start daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi from October 1. The airline, a joint venture between Tata group and Singapore Airlines, will use the A320 neo aircraft for the services. "We are delighted to expand our presence in the UAE, with a second Emirate, and offer the choice of flying India's best airline on one of the busiest international routes from India. "We are confident that greater connectivity between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi will complement the growing trade and tourism between the two countries," Vistara Chief Executive Officer Vinod Kannan said in a release on Wednesday. It already has flights to Dubai. Abu Dhabi will be the 12th overseas destination for Vistara. Vistara has a fleet of 53 aircraft, including 41 Airbus A320, five Airbus A321 neo, five Boeing 737-800NG and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
A Vistara flight heading to Mumbai returned to Varanasi after it suffered a bird hit on Friday, the airline said. This is the second such incident reported in the country in two days. A Go First plane heading to Chandigarh returned to Ahmedabad on Thursday morning as it got hit by a bird shortly after take-off. Sources said Vistara's UK622 flight was heading to Mumbai on Friday when it got hit by a bird, which damaged its radome. The plane returned to Varanasi, they said, adding that it has been grounded. In a statement, a spokesperson of the private carrier said: "Vistara flight UK 622 operating from Varanasi to Mumbai on August 5, 2022 turned back to Varanasi due to a bird strike during departure. Due to a maintenance inspection of the aircraft being required, another aircraft has been sent from Delhi to Varanasi to fly the passengers to Mumbai. It has been our constant endeavour to minimise inconvenience to our customers in such unavoidable situations whilst keeping safety as o