Vistara cancels 1,000 flights, mainly domestic, in April

According to the airline, there has been a deliberate reduction in operations of approximately 25-30 flights per day

In a bid to end strife between the management and its flying crew, notably pilots, full-service carrier Vistara has announced scaling back of its operations by around 10 pc everyday, leading to cancellation of about 1,000 flights, mainly domestic, in April.

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Vistara, a full-service carrier that is part of Tata Group, has announced the cancellation of close to 1,000 flights scheduled for April to restore stability to its operations. This action follows a massive disruption last week stemming from busy pilot rosters and unrest among a segment of cockpit crew regarding pay reductions.

According to the airline, there has been a deliberate reduction in operations of approximately 25-30 flights per day, representing around 10 pc of its usual capacity.

“We are carefully scaling back our operations by around 25-30 flights per day, that is, roughly 10 pc of the capacity we were operating. All the affected passengers have already been re-accommodated on other flights,” a Vistara spokesperson says in a statement.

The statement adds that this strategic move aims to provide breathing room for pilot rosters and minimise inconvenience for passengers. Vistara has focused primarily on domestic flights for cancellation and has proactively re-accommodated affected passengers on alternative flights.

Notably, the cancellations have been announced well in advance to mitigate disruptions, with all impacted travellers already re-booked onto other flights.

In addition to flight cancellations, Vistara is adjusting its fleet and operational strategies. It says that larger Airbus A321 and Boeing 787 aircraft are being deployed on domestic routes to accommodate more passengers. Furthermore, the airline is collaborating with other carriers to ensure passenger continuity.

The statement adds that Air India is also extending support by sending approximately 20 First Officers to assist Vistara. Moreover, to optimise resources, Vistara is reallocating six Airbus A320s to Air India Express. These measures aim to streamline operations and enhance efficiency amidst the current challenges faced by the aviation industry, including grounded aircraft due to engine issues.

According to reports, the cancellations are expected to push up airfares during the peak summer travel season in a market that is already grappling with nearly 200 aircraft grounded due to engine issues, out of which IndiGo, the largest airline in India, alone has over 70 non-operational planes.