Vistara Flight Cancellation: What is the row over merger with Air India? 15 pilots quit airline, says report

Amid repeated flight cancellations and delays due to non-availability of pilots, aviation watchdog DGCA has asked Vistara to submit a daily report on its operations, and the situation of flight disruptions is also being monitored by the civil aviation ministry. The Vistara CEO, meanwhile, said on Wednesday (April 3, 2024) that roaster-related worries of the staff are worthy of consideration.

He gave assurance to pilots that these problems will be resolved from May onwards.

The Vistara CEO has offered a one-to-one conversation regarding the new pay package.

At present, the management is trying to normalise flights.

As many as 21 flights have been canceled so far today.

Also Read - Vistara Flight Cancellation: 26 flights cancelled today, airline holds meeting with pilots to address issues

The development came a day after the carrier announced reducing operations due to non-availability of crew and other operational reasons. Sources on Tuesday said that some commanders as well as first officers of its A320 fleet are also reporting sick to protest pay revisions due to the signing of new contract.

Many passengers have taken to social media to complain about flight delays and cancellations. In recent weeks, discontent has reportedly been simmering among pilots at Vistara, which is in the process of merging with Air India, following the new contracts wherein there are concerns that fixed pay component will get reduced and there will be more flying-linked incentives in the salary structure of pilots.

The airline has also decided to temporarily reduce the number of flights it operates, to ensure adequate connectivity across its network. Further, the airline has deployed larger aircraft like the B787-9 Dreamliner and A321 Neo on select domestic routes to combine flights or accommodate more customers, wherever possible. In the ongoing summer schedule, Vistara will be operating 25.22 per cent more weekly flights at 2,324.

15 pilots quit Vistara

As a section of Vistara pilots continue to protest against pay revision, at least 15 senior first officers resigned from the airline recently, sources said on Tuesday. The airline operates a little over 300 flights daily and has a fleet of 70 planes comprising A320-family aircraft and Boeing 787s. The sources said at least 15 senior first officers resigned from Vistara and joined a domestic budget carrier. A Vistara spokesperson declined to comment on the resignations.

Vistara's merger with Air India

Vistara which is in the process of merging with Air India, has introduced new contracts for its pilots that seek to bring pay parity with those from Air India. However, many Vistara pilots have been protesting as the fixed component of compensation has been reduced and there are more flying-linked incentives that are subject to certain conditions. 

With the non-availability of crew hitting Vistara's operations resulting in significant flight cancellations over the last few weeks, aviation regulator DGCA has asked the airline to submit a daily report on flight cancellations and delays.