Air India Group now has 300 aircraft
Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA) marked a significant milestone in their longstanding partnership with a symbolic ceremony at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi to celebrate the merger of Air India and Vistara.
The merger consolidates four Tata-owned airlines under the Air India Group into a single full-service airline alongside a low-cost carrier. The integration is part of the ongoing five-year Vihaan.AI transformation programme, which aims to boost Air India’s position across all key segments of the Indian aviation market.
By merging these entities, the Air India Group now holds a significant presence in domestic, international, full-service, and low-cost operations. This strategic shift is designed to improve the airline’s operational capabilities, expand its customer base, and elevate service standards.
Following the merger, the Air India Group now operates a combined fleet of 300 aircraft, covering 55 domestic and 48 international destinations. With 312 routes and 8,300 flights per week, the airline offers enhanced global connectivity, reaching over 800 destinations through over 75 codeshare and interline partners.
30,000 workers
The collective workforce now has more than 30,000 workers, further strengthening the Group’s operational capacity.
Key figures from Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines attended the symbolic merger event in New Delhi on November 18, 2024, including Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, and Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines.
Senior management and employees from Tata, SIA, Air India, and Vistara also participated, underscoring the collaboration and shared vision for the future of Indian aviation.
Chandrasekaran remarked: “It has been a little over two and a half years since Air India’s return to the Tata Group. This merger with Vistara marks an important milestone in our commitment to transform Air India into a world-class global airline. Singapore Airlines continues to be our strategic partner, and we welcome them to the expanded Air India family.”
Choon Phong added: “This marks a pivotal moment for Indian aviation. In partnership with Tata Sons, SIA is committed to supporting the ongoing transformation of the enlarged Air India Group. We will bring our expertise and experience to help restore Air India to its leading position in the Indian aviation market. We aim to create an airline group India can be proud of.”
He further emphasised the merger’s importance to Singapore Airlines: “For the SIA Group, this merger strengthens our long-standing presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. We are excited to deepen our commercial collaboration with Air India, offering greater value and enhanced options to customers flying between India and Singapore and beyond.”
This merger is a crucial development for the Indian aviation sector, which continues to grow. The collaboration between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines is expected to benefit the companies involved and the aviation ecosystem, enhancing connectivity, service quality, and global reach.
Hero image: The Air India Group now holds a significant presence in domestic, international, full-service, and low-cost operations. Credit: Air India