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The final flight of Vistara, a full-service airline established in 2015 as a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, marked a significant milestone in India's aviation landscape. On Monday night, Vistara's last flight took off from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Odisha, signaling the end of its independent operations and the beginning of its full integration into Air India. Flight UK 782, bound for Delhi, carried passengers on a historic journey that officially concluded Vistara's separate identity, making way for the merged entity of Air India and Vistara.
The merger, which was completed on Tuesday, resulted in the change of Vistara's flight codes from 'UK' to 'AI2XXX'. As Vistara became a part of Air India, both airlines, owned by the Tata Group, joined forces to create a powerful entity in the Indian aviation market. This strategic move aimed to strengthen the airline group's presence both domestically and internationally, leveraging the combined resources and expertise of both airlines.
The merger was met with mixed emotions, with industry observers keenly watching its impact on the competitive landscape. While the combination of Air India's extensive network and Vistara's premium service standards promised a formidable force in the aviation sector, concerns remained about potential challenges in integrating the two airlines' operations and ensuring a seamless transition for passengers.
Air India took steps to address these concerns by setting up additional help desks at airports to assist travelers and rebranding Vistara's airport ticketing offices and check-in counters under Air India's operations. The in-flight experience, however, is expected to remain largely unchanged, maintaining the same high-quality services, products, and crew that Vistara passengers have come to expect.
The merger signifies a new chapter in India's aviation history, with the combined entity poised to reshape the competitive landscape both domestically and internationally. The legacy of Vistara's premium service, along with the vast network and resources of Air India, creates a promising future for the merged airline group. As the two airlines come together, industry observers are watching closely to see how this merger will play out in the years to come and what its impact will be on the Indian aviation market.
Source: Vistara ground staff bids emotional farewell to final flight after merger with Air India | WATCH