GURUGRAM- As Tata Group back Air India (AI) is set to integrate Vistara (UK) under its brand, the CEO Vinod Kannan is likely to head back to its former employer, Singapore Airlines (SQ).
The former Air India employee and Aviation expert, Sanjay Lazar has shed some light on the organizational structure of Air India Group post-merger. Remember that Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1 percent stake after a merger.
Vistara CEO Joining Singapore Airlines?
According to the TOI article, Vinod Kannan who is currently overseeing the AI-UK merger has not received any management-level position in Air India Group.
The organization chart shown by Mr.Lazar on X (formerly X) reveals that the majority of positions after the merger will be held by Top Air India brass. So it’s more likely that key personnel in Vistara will either leave the airline or hold responsibility at the lower management level.
Vinod Kannan has an astonishing career in the aviation industry as he has been in the same sector for more than 20 years.
Mr. Kannan got his first job at Singapore Airlines (SIA) as a Direct Marketing Executive and later held multiple manager-level positions including Manager of Eastern India for SIA. After working with SIA for more than 15 years, in 2016 he was named the Vice President of SIA.
Due to his exceptional performance and strong acumen, he was named the CEO of Scoot (TR), the low-cost subsidiary of SIA Group.
He was then given the duty to Join SIA’s joint venture entity with Tata, Vistara Airlines as Chief Strategy Officer. He became the CEO of Vistara in Jan 2022 when Tata overtook Air India from the Government of India. Since then he has been with Vistara and has made remarkable progress. He is now in charge of the group that is handling Vistara integration or merger with AI.
Sources told TOI that Kannan will head back to SIA and will likely hold a senior-level position.
Air India Express (IX) and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) have almost concluded integration smoothly.
Farewell to India’s Best Premium Carrier
Vistara has won multiple awards and the hearts of its passengers with its superior service and hospitality. Tata SIA carrier which started its operation in 2015, just 9 years ago has reached a height that other airlines failed to do in decades.
For example, Air India which has been a full-service carrier has failed due to poor standards and old planes. Despite Tata’s takeover, the long-haul flight is frequently facing backlash from passengers for poor cabin interiors and service.
Air India has now a monopoly on the majority of non-stop flights from India to Europe and North America, where the airline despite charging a hefty fare has failed to live up to the exceptions of its occupants.
Passengers are a little unhappy with Vistara’s integration into AI. Also, Vistara has a better Brand value in India and nearby countries where it operates than Air India. But Air India is a global name and that is the main reason Tata is keeping Air India and bidding Farewell to Vistara.
Well, the Jet Airways downfall helped Vistara to become a bigger brand but the question arises whether Air India will be able to get as better as Vistara.
Air India will need to quickly improve its standards and quickly refurbish the old planes with new interiors. AI has already taken remarkable steps including rebranding, new flagship planes, and refurbishment of its fleet. These steps will take a few years to get results and I am sure Air India will become a better carrier by the end of this decade.
Until then we will have to experience a low-cost service from IndiGo (6E), SpiceJet (SG), Akasa Air (QP), and slightly better service on Air India.
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