Summary
- Vistara’s first flight to Doha Hamad International Airport marks its 50th destination and strengthens its presence in the Middle East.
- The airline will operate four flights a week between Mumbai and Doha using its Airbus A321neo aircraft.
- Vistara has also recently welcomed its 50th Airbus A320neo aircraft on delivery from the manufacturer.
Vistara’s first-ever flight to Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar, landed on December 15, 2023, adding another flight between the Gulf state and India. Flight UK285 departed Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) at 19:10 local time, arriving at the Qatari capital at 19:58.
Vistara’s 50th destination
DOH has become the airline’s 50th destination, with Vistara now operating 32 domestic and 18 international routes. The flights between BOM and DOH will run four times a week, with the inaugural flight operated by one of the airline’s Airbus A321neo aircraft, registered as VT-TVJ. The aviation analytics company Cirium’s data showed that the carrier would utilize its A321neo to operate 20 return flights that connect the two cities. In January 2024, Vistara has also scheduled its A321neos to operate 36 return flights to DOH.
Photo: Vistara
Speaking about its newest destination, Vinod Kannan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vistara, noted that the airline is confident in its success on the route “based on the remarkable response to Vistara’s Middle Eastern routes,” with the newest itinerary only strengthening the carrier’s footprint in the region. “Doha – an essential commercial hub and home to a large Indian diaspora – is Vistara’s 50th destination and the sixth in the Middle East,” Kannan added.
“We firmly believe that Vistara’s widely appreciated product and globally awarded service make for just the right combination to cater to the market requirements and customers’ demand.”
Meanwhile, Sujata Suri, the Senior Vice President of Finance and Procurement at DOH, highlighted that the newest route is “a strategic collaboration that reinforces Hamad International Airport’s commitment to expanding connectivity and offering passengers unparalleled travel experiences.” Vistara’s latest route signifies a shared commitment between the airline and the airport to excellence, marking a milestone on its own for DOH, according to Suri.
Cirium data also showed that there are 300 return flights scheduled between BOM and DOH in January 2024, with four airlines competing for consumers in the market: Air India, IndiGo, Qatar Airways, and Vistara. IndiGo is the number one airline in this market, with the low-cost carrier planning to operate 124 flights during the month, while Air India is second with 78, followed by Qatar Airway’s 62 monthly flights. Lastly, Vistara plans to fly 36 times between BOM and DOH during the first month of 2024.
Air India’s Network Will Gain Over 400 Weekly Flights By March 2024
Air India’s fleet expansion means that it can add several new flights to its network.
Vistara’s 50th Airbus A320neo
Incidentally, the airline also recently welcomed its 50th Airbus A320neo, registered as VT-TQU. The aircraft departed Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS), where one of the manufacturer’s Final Assembly Lines (FAL) is located toward Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) on December 13, 2023. The A320neo stopped at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before arriving at BLR, presumably for fuel.
Photo: Vistara
Other aircraft in the airline’s fleet include ten Airbus A321neo, one of which is an A321LR, and six Boeing 787-9s. Previously, it operated 13 Airbus A320ceo and nine Boeing 737-800 aircraft. However, these were phased out between 2020 and 2023, with Airbus delivering more A320neo and A321neo aircraft to the Indian full-service airline.
Wow: Vistara Now has 50 Airbus A320neos In Its Fleet
Vistara is aiming to operate 70 aircraft in the next two fiscal years.