GURUGRAM- Air India (AI), owned by the Tata group, and Vistara (UK) are aiming to complete their merger by the end of October, thus consolidating their presence in the aviation market.

While the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has reserved its order on the merger application, the airlines have approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to clarify crossover training requirements for pilots and crew.

The two airlines currently have separate operating manuals and procedures, which are now being harmonized. When pilots switch jobs, they typically undergo training to familiarize themselves with the procedures of the new organization.

“Discussions are ongoing with the DGCA regarding crossover training and whether the training period can be shortened. Training the entire set of pilots and crew will require a lot of time and will impact schedules,” said a person familiar with the matter told Hindu Businessline.

While senior executives from both sides are working out the merger details, integration work will intensify after receiving the NCLT’s approval. The airlines will then begin aligning pricing, network, and schedules. While Vistara operates three-class Airbus 320 aircraft on domestic routes, Air India has twin-class A320s.

There are overlaps on several routes, and fleet deployment would be simplified. “We are working towards a seamless transition so that passengers are not left disappointed,” said an executive.

Unifying Tickets is Crucial

A crucial task for managers of both airlines will be managing the migration of Vistara-issued ticket passenger name records to those of Air India. To minimize migration hassle, ticket sales on dates beyond the actual merger could be halted in the Vistara reservations system. According to a source, these flights would then be available for sale on the Air India systems.

This process could commence two to three months before the actual merger date.

In November 2022, the Tata Group announced the consolidation of Vistara and Air India.

Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines jointly own Vistara. As part of the merger transaction, Singapore Airlines will also invest ₹2,059 crore in Air India for a 25.1 percent stake.

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