As the merger between Vistara and Air India approaches its final stages, preparations are in full swing to ensure a seamless transition for passengers and operations alike. Over 2.7 lakh passenger reservations and 45 lakh accounts of loyalty members have already migrated to Air India’s digital systems, the integration process is moving rapidly, according to Air India’s chief digital and technology officer Satya Ramaswamy. He said that the primary goal is to enhance the customer experience for Vistara passengers across all digital platforms following the merger.
When is the Air India – Vistara Merger?
The grand merger between Air India and Vistara is set for November 12. All the customers who have Vistara bookings post the merger date, have been informed of the changes. Their flights have now been integrated into Air India’s system. Progress has been made in integrating the numerous back-end systems necessary for the newly expanded Air India to operate smoothly. This includes the migration of over 140 systems vital for customer service, operational efficiency, and employee integration.
Vistara-Air India Merger Preparations
The merger extends beyond just passenger reservations. It involves migration of a vast network of 3,385 Vistara suppliers, 70 aircraft operating over 320 daily flights, more than 3,300 crew members, and 86 IT contracts. In total, around 6,500 Vistara employees will transition to Air India.
Key areas of focus during this migration include the transfer of reservations and loyalty accounts, maintaining the integrity of financial records, integrating crew and aircraft logistics, aligning payroll systems, and ensuring continuity in flight schedules. Although Vistara will officially cease operations, passengers can expect a familiar experience in the initial months as Vistara’s fleet and crew continue under the Air India banner, albeit with new flight numbers.
To assist passengers in identifying former Vistara flights, Air India will introduce four-digit flight numbers beginning with “2.” For example, Vistara flight UK 955 will be rebranded as AI 2955.
What is the ‘Maharaja Club’?
In a notable development for loyalty members, the merger will also see the integration of both airlines’ loyalty programs into a new offering dubbed the ‘Maharaja Club,’ referencing Air India’s iconic mascot. Existing Club Vistara members will be transitioned seamlessly into Air India’s Flying Returns program.
Since its inception nearly a decade ago, Vistara has carved out a reputation as a premier full-service carrier in India, often outshining budget airlines with its quality service. The decision to merge Vistara into Air India, which was acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, raises questions about maintaining service standards, especially given Air India’s previous financial challenges.
The merger is a strategic move by the Tata Group, which also recently consolidated its budget airlines, merging Air India Express with AIX Connect. Once finalized, this merger will position the Air India group with a robust full-service offering alongside a low-cost carrier, a crucial component of its ambitious transformation initiative, Vihaan.Ai, aimed at revitalizing Air India into a globally recognized airline.