Vistara announces reduction in flights amidst operational turbulence.

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Amid operational challenges, Vistara Airlines announced a reduction in flight operations. Around 25-30 flights per day will be scaled back for operational resilience, accounting for 10% of the airline’s capacity compared to previous levels.

The decision aims to strengthen Vistara’s operational framework to levels seen at the end of February 2024. The move comes after recent flight cancellations due to pilots calling in sick to protest a new contract following the airline’s merger with Air India.

A Vistara spokesperson stated, “We are carefully scaling back our operations by around 25-30 flights per day, i.e., roughly 10% of the capacity we were operating. This will take us back to the same level of flight operations as at the end of February 2024, and provide the much-needed resilience and buffer in the rosters.”

The cancellations are primarily in the domestic network and have been planned ahead of time to minimize inconvenience to customers. All affected passengers have been accommodated on other flights. The airline is optimistic about stable operations for the rest of the month and beyond.

Vistara pilots have collectively requested sick leave in response to a revised salary structure ahead of the merger with Air India. The new contract, effective from April, replaces the previous hourly pay with a fixed salary for 40 hours, consistent with Tata Group airlines.

Concerns have been raised by first officers about potential earnings impact. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated daily reports from Vistara due to recent flight disruptions, including crew unavailability. The airline must detail cancelled or delayed flights in response to the situation.