Vistara - jointly owned by Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA) - operates its final flight on Nov 11 before its planned merger with Air India kicks in the following day, marking the end of a complex and messy two-year process. SIA will hold a 25.1 per cent stake in the enlarged Air India post-merger.
On Nov 14, market leader IndiGo, operated by InterGlobe Aviation, debuts its business-class cabins on select routes as it ventures beyond budget travel for the first time.
The two developments mark major changes for India's two largest airlines as the carriers expand and make forays beyond their traditional areas of expertise.
By folding Vistara into the much larger but unprofitable Air India, the Tata Group has taken on one of the most complicated aviation mergers globally, including navigating pilot protests that led to dozens of cancelled flights in 2024.
The union will be a crucial test of the coffee-to-cars conglomerate's ability to improve the quality of Air India's services and turn around the loss-making carrier it bought from the Indian government in 2021, without losing the brigade of loyal Vistara fliers.
The challenge for the no-frills IndiGo, meanwhile, will be to revamp its image - it is like India's Ryan Air - and dent Air India's supremacy in the premium sector.
"All the jabs that Air India and IndiGo are taking are aimed at each other's strategy," said Mr Ajay Awtaney, founder of LiveFromALounge.com, a local aviation analysis platform. "It's now a two-player game."
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 12, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 12, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
BACKFLIPPING THEIR WAY TO EQUALITY
The women were competing, finally, at Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah, considered the biggest and gnarliest mountain bike competition in the world.
Biden meets Trump at White House for transition talks
President Joe Biden hosted President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on Nov 13 in a meeting designed to demonstrate a smooth transition between administrations, even though Trump's team has yet to sign documents to start the handover process.
Song Jae-rim made debut with K-drama The Moon Embracing The Sun
South Korean actor Song Jae-rim, who acted in blockbuster television dramas, including The Moon Embracing The Sun (2012), died on Nov 12 at the age of 39.
UK writer Samantha Harvey wins with space novel Orbital
British writer Samantha Harvey (right) won the prestigious Booker Prize on Nov 12 for her short novel following six astronauts as they contemplate Earth from the International Space Station.
Singer Penny Tai has vertigo, but still game to put on concert
Malaysian singer Penny Tai has said a health issue prevents her from doing big movements.
S'porean actor Chin Han joins cast of Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender
Netflix has expanded the cast of live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender in its second season, with Singapore actor Chin Han one of the latest eight additions.
Tenor Christoph Pregardien's Schubert recital simply spellbinding
CONCERT CHRISTOPH PREGARDIEN SINGS SCHUBERT'S DIE SCHONE MULLERIN
Puppet masters keep niche art form alive
The Finger Players, Paper Monkey Theatre and puppeteer Bright Ong are taking puppets to a wider audience
All We Imagine As Light tells a humane tale, Red One delivers overstuffed turkey
Two Malayali nurses in Mumbai negotiate their daily working-class grind. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans team up on a search-and-recovery operation when Santa Claus is abducted, mere days before Christmas Eve.
Crime comedy takes a stab at wellness culture
MURDER MINDFULLY Netflix ★★★★☆