Vistara-Air India Merger Comes Into Effect From Today, All The Changes That You Need To Know About

Starting today, November 12, 2024, Air India has officially completed its merger with Vistara, marking a consolidation in India's civil aviation sector. This integration is a major milestone for the Tata Group, which now sees its full ownership of Air India following the merger with its joint venture (JV) partner, Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines, however, will retain a 25.1% stake in the newly enlarged entity.

The merger brings together two key players in India's aviation industry, combining the extensive network and resources of Air India with the premium services offered by Vistara. Passengers who were previously flying with Vistara should keep a few key things in mind as they experience this transition in the coming weeks. The airline has rolled out several initiatives to make the process seamless for travellers.

Air India-Vistara Merger: Key Changes to Know

For those planning to travel with Vistara or having already booked tickets, there are some important updates to look out for:

New Airline Code 'A12'

One of the first changes passengers will notice is the new airline code for Vistara-operated flights. From today onwards, all Vistara flights will carry an Air India flight number starting with "AI." For instance, a Vistara flight previously numbered UK 955 will now be listed as AI 2955. This helps travellers easily identify Vistara flights under Air India's code when booking or checking flight details.

No Changes to Routes or Schedules

While the airline's structure is undergoing significant changes, passengers will be pleased to know that there will be no immediate changes to flight routes or schedules. Whether you're flying domestically or internationally, your travel plans will remain as they were before the merger. This continuity ensures that customers can proceed with their existing itineraries without concern.

Help Desks and Customer Assistance at Airports

To assist passengers during this transition, Air India has set up dedicated help desk kiosks at major airports. These kiosks will be easily identifiable, and customer support staff will be wearing Air India x Vistara-branded T-shirts, so passengers can quickly find assistance if needed. Additionally, Flight Information Display Screens (FIDS) and standees will help travellers identify the Air India check-in counters at airports, which are now the designated counters for former Vistara passengers.

Changes in Airport Ticketing and Check-in Procedures

As part of the merger, Vistara's airport ticketing offices and check-in terminals will now operate under the Air India brand. This means passengers should look for Air India signage at the airport when they head to the check-in counter. This new system will be in effect at all major airports across India.

Customer Care and Support

For passengers calling the Vistara contact centre, there's no need to worry about additional confusion. Calls will be automatically directed to Air India representatives, ensuring that all queries are handled by the unified customer support team.

Loyalty Program Integration

Over the past few months, more than 270,000 Vistara passengers who had booked flights have already migrated to Air India. Moreover, Vistara's 4.5 million loyalty program members are now being integrated into Air India's frequent flyer program, ensuring that existing benefits and miles will be carried over for these customers.