Vistara employees are seeking clarity about their roles in the upcoming merger with Air India, as CEO Vinod Kannan outlined a roadmap for the integration process. Kannan assured staff that details of their roles in the combined entity will be communicated through May and June, pending final approvals from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Once approval is received, Vistara plans to accelerate integration activities such as systems transition, data migration, and customer/partner communications to ensure seamless post-merger operations.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson acknowledged that elements of Vistara will be maintained in Air India’s future operations, although the two airlines will eventually be collapsed into one entity. Kannan emphasized Vistara’s commitment to ensuring all employees find suitable roles post-merger and stated that leadership teams have begun meeting frequently to make necessary decisions and execute them seamlessly. An independent consultant has been engaged to finalize the merged entity’s organogram by the end of April, focusing on integrating back-office and corporate functions for non-crew staff.
Townhall sessions have been planned to explain the merger process to employees, with updates on assigned roles in the combined organization to be provided in May and June. Concerns have been raised about cancellations and delays at Vistara, which coincided with pilots’ discontent over a stretched roster and a new pay structure ahead of the merger. Additional townhall sessions for pilots will be conducted to discuss career progression and address feedback on new contract terms. Cabin crew members have also sought clarity on their contracts and potential changes ahead of the merger.
The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200 index, which includes publicly traded companies across global markets, is being monitored. The index covers network carriers, low-cost carriers, and related companies, providing a snapshot of the sector’s financial performance year-to-date. The Skift Travel 200 combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth over a trillion dollars into a single number, offering insights into the industry’s overall health. More information about airline sector financial performance can be found on the Skift website.
Overall, Vistara employees are seeking reassurance and clarity about their roles in the upcoming merger with Air India. CEO Vinod Kannan has outlined plans for the integration process, including communication of roles in the combined entity and engagement with an independent consultant to finalize the organogram. Townhall sessions and updates will be provided to address staff concerns and facilitate a smooth transition post-merger. The performance of airline sector stocks is being monitored within the ST200 index, offering insights into the financial health of the industry as a whole.
