Tatas unveil 'luxury airline' Vistara, target October take- off

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NEW DELHI: The Tata-Singapore Airlines combine on Monday unveiled Vistara, its much- awaited joint-venture full service carrier, and said the new 'luxury' airline should fly by October, in time for Diwali. While Vistara (which means limitless expanse) will, as per rules, begin as a domestic airline, it is eying expanding beyond India's border soon. "We look forward to the repeal of the 5/20 rule (which says an Indian carrier must be in service for five years and have a fleet of 20 aircraft before flying overseas)," TSAL CEO Phee Teik Yeoh said at the unveiling of the airline's branding, livery and crew uniform on Monday. He said the airline — which promises to "redefine travel" — was in the "last lap" of its licensing process with the aviation regulator.
As of now, the Delhi-based airline plans to have five Airbus A-320s by the end of this year and a fleet of 20 planes in five years. The first aircraft will arrive next month. From 2016 to 2020, the carrier will get the seven A-320 new engine option aircraft which are more fuel efficient. The Tata Group was clearly emotional with its dream of getting back into aviation materializing after several decades. Their previous two attempts with Singapore Airlines (SIA), including once to buy a stake in Air India (international) in 1999, had not been allowed to take off by business rivals.

Staff members of TATA SIA Airlines Limited during the launch of Vistara


Read more here:
Tatas unveil ‘luxury airline’ Vistara, target October take-off - The Times of India

 

[saad800]

It is expensive airline.

 

[Blackwater]

It is expensive airline.

r u working at ticket counter of this airline???

BTW there are lot of indians who can afford luxury.

 

[Singh]

It is expensive airline.

Expensive is good.

 

[zain8500]

Expensive is good.

Yes, Because it has many faculties for the people.

 

[Singh]

Yes, Because it has many faculties for the people.

More than that its all about networking.

 

[parijataka]

I wonder if a luxury airline is a good idea in India where many people who fly do at office expense ! Is this another bad decision from Tata like setting up Nano factory in West Bengal ? Only time will tell.

 

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Airbus to maintain Vistara fleet; AirWorks may bag MRO deal

MUMBAI: The Tata-Singapore Airlines venture Vistara has outsourced its engineering support services to original equipment maker Airbus and is also negotiating with homegrown AirWorks for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of its fleet, sources close to the development said today. The full service carrier, which was earlier expected to take wings by the middle of next month, may now take a couple of months to launch its operations due to pending technical regulatory approvals. "Vistara, which will have an all- Airbus fleet to begin with, has outsourced day-to-day maintenance of its fleet to the European aviation major Airbus," sources told PTI here. However, when contacted, both Vistara and AirWorks spokespersons declined to comment on the development. An announcement to this effect is likely to be announced soon, sources said. Last month, Vistara Chief Executive Phee Teik Yeoh had said that he plans to have a fleet of five aircraft by the end of the year. The Delhi-based airline has already decided to lease 20 Airbus A320s, including seven A320 Neos which have the latest technology. The airline is also in discussions with AirWorks for awarding the contract for maintenance, repair and overhaul of its aircraft. Vistara, which is the third full service carrier in the country after national carrier Air India and Jet Airways, would operate from its base Delhi and connect Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Jammu and Patna in the first year, as per the plan submitted to the regulator DGCA while applying for the air operator's permit in April this year. It plans to operate 87 flights in the first year, with five leased Airbus A320s, and then scale it up to 301 flights by the fourth year.
Airbus to maintain Vistara fleet; AirWorks may bag MRO deal - The Economic Times

 

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Vistara's first aircraft lands in Delhi, to undergo checks

NEW DELHI: The first Airbus A-320 aircraft of Tata- SIA joint venture Vistara airline, painted with its logo and livery, landed at the IGI Airport here today, taking the carrier a step closer to its launch. The landing marked the 82nd anniversary of JRD Tata's first commercial flight from Karachi to Mumbai, as the aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute. The aircraft was delivered on September 25 and had gone to Singapore for being painted with the aubergine and gold coloured logo and livery of Vistara. Now, the A-320 would have to begin proving test flights and undergo other regulatory checks before the aviation regulator DGCA grants Vistara and its aircraft the airworthiness certificate and the flying licence or the Scheduled Operator's Permit (SOP). Airline officials had earlier said the operational launch may be held later this month, though the entire process has been delayed by a few weeks due to delay in delivery of the aircraft. With this acquisition, Vistara plans to increase its fleet to 20 aircraft, including the latest A-320 neos, by the end of the fourth year of its operation. The A-320-200 is fitted with 'Sharklets' or large wingtip devices which help reduce fuel burn. At a function in the airport on the occasion, Vistara Chairman Prasad Menon said, "There could be no better way to celebrate the 82nd anniversary of a significant milestone in Indian aviation - the first commercial flight of Tata Airlines that was piloted by the legendary JRD Tata." "Each step in this journey brings us closer to the realisation of Vistara, an airline that will redefine the air travel," he said.
Vistara's first aircraft lands in Delhi, to undergo checks - The Economic Times

 

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Vistara gets air operator permit, likely to take off in Jan

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today granted Vistara an air operator permit paving the way for its take off. While the airline is yet to announce its launch date and share product details, sources said the airline is planning to launch in second week of January. "The airline may launch on January 7 with a first flight on Delhi-Mumbai route,'' a source said. "We will soon share our routes and flight schedule with you," a Vistara spokesperson said in response to an email query on launch date.
Vistara gets air operator permit, likely to take off in Jan | Business Standard News

 

[tarunraju]

It's about time there was a premium domestic airline. Business-class seats on a narrow-body aircraft like A320/B737 are a sham, with all the noise and aisle traffic; and Indian airlines don't operate wider-body aircraft in domestic services (due to some anti-competitive BS regulation).

 

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Vistara starts bookings, keeps fares much higher than competition | Business Standard News

 

[Ray]

It will be catering for the executive and the business class, who can afford to pay high fares and also expect service.

 

[Hari Sud]

Indian passengers are tired of cut rate budget airlines like Kingfisher, Spice Jet or even Jet Airways. Imagine the amount of hassle when you find out three hours before that your air flight is grounded. Hence that is where Vistara comes into the picture. Or worst, they have not paid their employees.

Vistara availability will greatly change the dynamics of the air industry. It is not going to be a cut rate airline, but reliable. Hence much of the public opinion sway in its favour. Others would be forced to follow the suit.

 

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Five things Vistara is doing differently - Livemint

 

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Two decades in the departure lounge | Business Standard News

 

[Sambha ka Boss]

Best of luck to them.

 

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On day one, Vistara flies high on personalised service | Business Standard News

 

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Vistara to start flights to south, north-east India - Livemint