Gurgaon, New Delhi: Vistara said that its aircraft and passengers will be handled by Air India from November 12, as the merger of the two Tata Group-owned airlines comes closer with Singapore Airlines (SIA) getting approval from the Indian government for acquiring a 25.1pc stake in the erstwhile state-run carrier.

"Starting 3 September, customers will, progressively, no longer be able to make bookings with Vistara for travel on or after 12 November. All Vistara aircraft thereafter will be operated by Air India and bookings for the routes operated by these aircraft will be redirected to Air India's website. Vistara will continue to take bookings and operate flights as usual till 11 November 2024," Vistara said in a statement Friday.

The merger is an effort by the Tata Group to consolidate its airline business. Under this plan, Air India Express and AirAsia India have been merged to form a no-frills airline. The combined entity of Air India and Vistara will compete in the full-service segment.

Singapore Airlines said it expects the Vistara-Air India merger deal, which Indian and Singaporean antitrust regulators have already cleared, to be completed by the end of 2024.

-B