Vinod Kannan, CEO of Vistara
Vistara airline hopes to operate flights as scheduled this weekend after reaching a deal with pilots who complained of fatigue. NDTV reported on Thursday.
The report said pilots from the joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines were operating near the limits of their maximum flight limits and raised health concerns in their discussions with the company’s management. While acknowledging these challenges, sources quoted by NDTV denied any coordinated mass leave.
Last week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) postponed the implementation of revised duty-to-fly standards for pilots. The decision to delay the standards – which were initially due to come into effect from June 1 and was intended to reduce pilot fatigue – stemmed from the need for wider consultation.
125 Vistara flights cancelled
According to a Reuters According to the report, more than 125 Vistara flights have been canceled since April 1. The cancellations were attributed to an increase in sick leave requests from pilots. The most affected routes were Delhi-Indore, Delhi-Srinagar, Mumbai-Kochi and Bengaluru-Udaipur.
Spot airfares on these routes also rose 38 percent following flight cancellations earlier this week.
Merger between Vistara and Air India
Singapore’s Competition and Consumer Commission cleared Vistara’s merger with Air India in March 2024. Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan indicated plans for operational integration with Air India by mid-2025, with the expectation of receiving regulatory approval by mid-2024. .
Vistara management, including CEO Vinod Kannan, held discussions with pilots during a virtual town hall. According to a report from ANI, the meeting focused on addressing concerns regarding new contracts and rosters. The pilots were promised more careful use of their time.
Kannan appealed to pilots for support in ensuring smooth operations. To alleviate pressure on resources during the crisis, Vistara has reduced the number of daily flights.
First print: April 4, 2024 | 1:05 PM IST