Farewell Vistara : Integrated Air India spreads wings

New Delhi : After successful decade-long operations, India's renowned full-service airline Vistara flew into the sunset on November 12 early morning, operating its last flight from Delhi to Singapore.

Vistara, the joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines, has finally merged with Air India, creating an enlarged entity that is currently India's largest international carrier and second-largest domestic carrier.

UK115 flight from Delhi to Singapore was the last flight of Vistara with the code 'UK', while UK986 from Mumbai to Delhi was the carrier's last domestic flight.

Beginning a new chapter in India's fast-growing civil aviation space, the merged entity operated its first flight with the code 'AI2286' from Doha to Mumbai. In the domestic sector, the integrated entity's first flight AI2984 took off from Mumbai to Delhi.

All four flights landed at their respective destinations             early in the morning on November 12, according to reports.

Reports said, the two airlines have been merged, passengers are being issued Air India boarding passes and check-in counters of Vistara at airports have become that of Air India.

The code 'AI2XXX' is being used for Vistara flights that are being operated by Air India post the merger to help passengers identify the Vistara flight at the time of booking.

On November 11, a spokesperson said, the integrated entity will be operating services on 103 domestic and 71 international routes. 

Together, the Air India group has an operational fleet of 298 aircraft-around 208 with Air India and about 90 with Air India Express.