No Vistara flight bookings from September 3

The much-anticipated merger between Vistara and Air India is expected to be finalised on November 12, following a significant development on Friday when Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced it had received approval from the Indian government for foreign direct investment (FDI) as part of the merger process.

Starting from September 3, 2024, customers will no longer be able to book Vistara flights for travel on or after November 12, 2024, as all Vistara aircraft will be operated under the Air India brand. Bookings for these routes will be redirected to Air India’s website. However, Vistara will continue normal flight operations until November 11, 2024.

The merger, first announced in November 2022, will create one of the world's largest airline groups, combining the strengths of two major players in the aviation industry.The union is seen as a strategic move to bolster Air India’s position in the global aviation market, offering a more extensive network and enhanced service offerings.

With clearance from the Indian government, Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1 percent stake in the newly enlarged Air India, which is owned by Tata Group. Vistara, currently a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will be integrated into Air India, solidifying the merger by the end of this year.