In run-up to merger, Air India and Vistara get DGCA nod to integrate aircraft line maintenance operations | Business News
Tata group airlines Air India and Vistara have received the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA’s) approval to integrate their aircraft line maintenance operations. The development marks a significant move towards operational synergy between the two carriers that are on the path to be merged into a single airline, according to sources in the know.
“This strategic integration will merge Vistara’s line maintenance activities under Air India’s facilities and scope, marking a key milestone in unifying the maintenance resources of both airlines. By leveraging the combined expertise and optimising processes, resources and systems this merger will significantly enhance Air India’s technical capabilities, ensuring greater self-reliance in fleet maintenance, and implement industry-leading practices across all MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) operations,” said an official with direct knowledge of the matter.
The integration of aircraft line maintenance operations will help the Air India-Vistara combine to enhance operational performance, reduce aircraft turnaround times, and bolster on-time performance, said the official, who did not wish to be identified.
Air India and Vistara have aircraft fleet commonality to a large extent with the narrowbody fleet of both airlines primarily made up of the Airbus A320 family planes. Vistara’s widebody aircraft fleet only comprises the Boeing 787 aircraft, which Air India also has as a part of a relatively more diverse widebody fleet.
Air India has so far in-housed line maintenance at 12 stations in India. This approval from the aviation regulator DGCA will allow key technical activities related to aircraft and its components to come under a single integrated scope and ambit of work for both airlines.
“The merger will not only bolster core line maintenance work to keep the combined fleet of Air India and Vistara flying fit within the eco-system of Air India but will also result in embracing the best industry practices for all MRO activities strengthening the overall capacity of the Engineering capacity and resources,” said the official.
“The combined strength will also create economies of scale in resource mobilization and augment trained manpower to cater to various maintenance and check of the aircraft in the fleet of the Group Carriers, including Air India Express- the aircraft of which has been serviced by the Vistara team,” the official added.
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Air India is targeting the completion of Vistara’s merger with itself by the end of this year. Apart from merging Air India and Vistara, the group is also in the process of merging its budget carriers Air India Express and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India). Once both the mergers are complete, the Air India group will have a full-service carrier Air India and a low-cost airline Air India Express.
