N Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons, recently shared his insights following the merger of Air India and Vistara, which was officially completed on November 12, 2024. This significant event marks a pivotal moment in the transformation of Air India into a “world-class global airline with an Indian heart.” In his LinkedIn post, Chandrasekaran expressed optimism about the future of the newly merged entity, acknowledging the “sky-high expectations” that come with this ambitious endeavor
Days after Vistara’s merger with Air India, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said he was fully aware that expectations for the new Air India were sky high and the unified airline would not settle for anything less.
“We are fully aware that expectations are sky high for the new Air India. We expect nothing less, and we expect to deliver nothing less,” N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, which owns Air India, said in a LinkedIn post on Thursday, days after Vistara’s November 12 merger with Air India.
Vistara, the full-service carrier, has been merged into AI by the Tata group in an attempt to bring its entire airline business under one brand – Air India.
For many travelers, Vistara represented the benchmark of in-flight service and comfort in the Indian skies. Its merger with Air India signals a new chapter for both airlines, but Tata promises that the “Vistara experience” will remain a core part of the revamped Air India.
In his post, Chandrasekaran assured customers that Vistara’s best practices and commitment to quality will raise national carrier standards. This includes integrating Vistara’s experienced cabin crew and service excellence into Air India’s operations, allowing the airline to retain the appeal that has endeared Vistara to frequent flyers.
The merger marks the culmination of Tata’s comprehensive strategy of consolidating four Tata airlines – Air India, Vistara, AirAsia India and Air India Express – into a single entity. Chandrasekaran noted that in the two years since Tata took over Air India, the airline’s fleet has grown 2.5 times and now flies around 200,000 passengers daily to 100 global destinations. While the challenges of merging different cultures and systems remain, Tata’s investment in people, training, technology and a modern fleet underlines its commitment to make Air India a top airline.
“It is important to acknowledge that mergers are undoubtedly a time of change – separate cultures are brought together to create something new and permanent. Such mergers take time. We have moved quickly, completing the process in 2 years, while keeping our eyes on the end goal. is: realizing the potential of AI and turning it into a world-class global airline,” he wrote.
As Tata Air India transforms, passengers can now look forward to a new fleet with state-of-the-art aircraft such as the Airbus A350 on routes to London and New York. Acknowledging the high expectations, Chandrasekaran pledged that the Tata Group is committed to delivering a reimagined Air India that embraces world-class standards while remaining true to its roots as India’s national carrier.