Vistara finds itself passing through turbulent weather in the last few days, cancelling several flights and raising concerns over its operational dependability.
Passengers have been left stranded, with a significant number of flights originating from key cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, facing cancellation due to a shortage of pilots. More than 100 flights have been cancelled and many more delayed, underscoring the gravity of the situation for both passengers and the airline alike.
Why are such cancellations happened?
Vistara’s pilots are protesting against a new payment structure ahead of Vistara’s merger with Air India. Reports indicate that Vistara pilots have collectively taken sick leave in response to changes in their pay structure proposed by the airline ahead of the merger, and the airline has taken cognisance of the issue, with a Vistara spokesperson saying, “We have had a significant number of flight cancellations and delays in the past few days due to various reasons including crew unavailability”.
With Vistara set to merge with Air India, its pilots have received revised contractual terms that will cut their guaranteed flying hours per month from 70 hours to 40 hours. This will impact their salary, and even though pilots were cautioned that a refusal to accept the new terms could see them relinquish not just the one-time payout they would get after the move, but also the chance to fly for Air India, they have gone ahead with the move. Concerns also abound among pilots about career progression opportunities, with their seniority levels in the balance ahead of the merger, and a flying schedule that impacts their work-life balance
What does this mean for passengers?
The Tata-backed airline has assured customers of a swift return to regular operations, expressing commitment to stabilizing the situation promptly. They have opted to temporarily scale back flight operations while emphasizing the importance of maintaining connectivity across their network.
Notably, the airline has introduced larger aircraft, such as the B787-9 Dreamliner and A321neo, on certain domestic routes to accommodate more passengers or combine flights. To address the inconvenience faced by affected customers, the airline is offering alternative flight options or refunds as necessary.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have swiftly intervened, seeking clarity and daily updates on the cancellations and delays plaguing Vistara’s services. Furthermore, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has affirmed its vigilance, ensuring adherence to regulations to minimize passenger disruption.
With a busy summer in the offing, Vistara will hope to quickly draw a line under this issue and return to normalcy sooner rather than later.
