Vistara will operate its final flights on Monday before merging with Air India, reducing India’s full-service carriers to one. The airline, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will continue under the Air India brand, with Singapore Airlines retaining a 25.1% stake in the merged entity.
In the first month post-merger, over 115,000 Vistara passengers will fly under Air India’s name, but the Vistara service experience will remain unchanged. Flight codes will switch to the “AI” prefix, and Vistara’s loyalty members will be transferred to Air India’s program. Support systems, including help desks and signage at airports, will assist passengers through the transition.
Vistara was launched in 2015 following the UPA government’s decision to allow foreign airlines to acquire stakes in domestic carriers. It became the only full-service airline to begin operations in the last decade, after the closure of carriers like Kingfisher and Jet Airways. Singapore Airlines owned 49% and Tata Group 51% of Vistara.