New Delhi: In a landmark achievement for Indian aviation, Tata Group’s Air India Group has completed its operational and legal merger with Vistara, creating a unified powerhouse in the airline industry. This merger marks a major phase in Tata’s ambitious Vihaan.ai transformation plan, aimed at establishing Air India as a globally competitive airline with a distinctly Indian ethos.
Unified Operations with a Global Reach
Following this integration, the new Air India Group will operate over 8,300 weekly flights on 312 routes, spanning more than 100 domestic and international destinations with a 300-aircraft fleet. The full-service airline, Air India, alone now operates over 5,600 weekly flights across 90 destinations, and with its recent alliances, passengers will have access to an extended network of over 800 destinations globally through 75 codeshare and interline partners.
Bringing Together Strengths and Streamlining Services
The merger also involved seamlessly bringing together Vistara’s workforce of over 6,000 employees under a unified organizational structure. Significant strides were made in aligning operational processes and IT systems, with over 140 systems harmonized across the four airlines Air India, Vistara, Air India Express, and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India). The integration effort also saw 4.5 million Club Vistara members onboarded into Air India’s new frequent flyer program, Maharaja’s Club, along with 270,000 bookings migrated and more than 4,000 vendor contracts consolidated.
Modernization and Expansion under Vihaan.ai Transformation
The Vihaan.ai program, a five-year roadmap launched by Tata Group, is fueling Air India’s transformation with a commitment to modernize its fleet, enhance passenger experience, and expand infrastructure. Key initiatives include a $400 million investment to retrofit legacy aircraft with modern interiors and an order of over 500 new aircraft, with deliveries already underway. Additionally, Tata Group has opened a state-of-the-art 600,000 sq. ft. training center capable of training 2,000 employees daily, preparing the airline for future growth.
New Infrastructure and Job Creation
Further supporting the transformation, a 12-bay maintenance base is under construction and scheduled to open in early 2026, enhancing operational efficiency and safety. In a major job boost, the airline has hired over 9,000 new employees across roles, significantly strengthening its workforce. A fully upgraded IT platform now supports streamlined operations, boosting customer service and enabling a modern, digitally driven approach.
A Vision for World-Class Indian Aviation
With the Air India and Vistara merger now complete, Tata Group’s aviation vision has taken a definitive step forward, combining legacy and modernity in a way that’s poised to set new standards in both domestic and international aviation. The reimagined Air India Group is set to elevate the passenger experience, expand global reach, and carry forward a legacy of Indian pride, setting the stage for Tata’s vision of a world-class airline with deep-rooted Indian values.
