“To Limitless Possibilities.”
Vistara Airlines, founded in 2013 as joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, took its last flight on November 11th 2024, marking a graceful end to its airborne journey.
“As the plane ascends, so do our dreams; let’s glide towards the future, where the sky isn’t the limit but just the beginning,” Vistara wrote in a heartfelt message to its followers.
Passengers on the last flight experienced a profoundly touching moment when, after landing, the grew played the Bollywood classic Kal Ho Naa Ho – a tribute to the end of their wondrous journey and beginning of a new chapter.
Thank you for #FlyingTheNewFeeling
Here’s #ToLimitlessPossibilities pic.twitter.com/OaELl6d4T5— Vistara (@airvistara) November 11, 2024
Tribute from its Rival:
Vistara’s rival IndiGo bid it a heartfelt farewell as the airline took its last flight. In a symbolic gesture, IndiGo highlighted Vistara’s “unforgettable legacy” on social media, paying it respect despite their former competition.
”As an unforgettable legacy takes its final flight, a new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, @airvistara. Here’s #ToLimitlessPossibilities ahead,” IndiGo wrote on X, along with a video of its final flight.
As an unforgettable legacy takes its final flight, a new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, @airvistara. Here’s #ToLimitlessPossibilities ahead. #goIndiGo
Video credits @UtkarshThakkar pic.twitter.com/QAOlNzX5xm
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 11, 2024
Merger with Air India:
Vistara, which was a 51:49 per cent joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, will now be merging with Air India on November 12th.
This marks a significant milestone for India’s aviation industry, establishing one of the largest airline groups across the globe. It is also part of Tata Group’s strategy to streamline its aviation assets.
Going forward, Vistara’s routes and fleet will be incorporated into the Air India brand, positioning the latter as India’s largest international carrier and the second largest in the domestic airspace, with 218 aircraft.
However, the merger process was far from smooth, with problems like pilot shortages, flight cancellations, and protests from the Vistara crew over plans to align their salary structures with Air India. Time will tell how these problems will be dealt with after the merger has taken place.
For passengers, this will invoke both familiarity and nostalgia: the same crew, airplane standards and interiors they have grown accustomed to will remain the same, but will bear the Air India name.
