Vistara faces flight delays, cancellations as pilots reporting sick leave

PTC Web Desk:  In a recent setback, Vistara, the joint venture of Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has encountered widespread disruptions in its flight operations due to an unexpected surge in pilots reporting sick leave. The situation has led to numerous flight cancellations and delays across India, exacerbating the challenges posed by mandatory maintenance requirements for some aircraft and other operational issues.

As of the latest update on March 10, more than 20 Vistara flights have been cancelled, and a significant number have experienced delays extending for more than a week. The airline has acknowledged the persisting disruptions and inconvenience caused to passengers, attributing the setbacks to a combination of factors.

Vistara spokesperson addressed the situation, stating, “We have witnessed disruption across our network owing to a host of factors, like unforeseen maintenance requirements on some aircraft, unfavorable weather in North India on a few days, air traffic congestion, and other routine operational constraints.” The spokesperson clarified that the number of pilots reporting sick has not increased beyond the anticipated range in their manpower planning.

While the spokesperson acknowledged the impact of pilot sick leave, they emphasized that the disruptions are not solely attributed to this factor. “We confirm that we have had a few flight cancellations and unavoidable delays in the last few days. However, we would like to clarify that it cannot be attributed to pilot absenteeism alone,” the statement read.

In response to inquiries about dissatisfaction among pilots following the merger order and concerns about potential pay parity issues post the merger with Air India, a Vistara official denied these claims, labeling them as untrue. The official reiterated that various factors contribute to the operational challenges faced by the airline.

As March progresses and with the commencement of the new financial year in April, a significant number of pilots have reported sick, aiming to utilise their accumulated leave to prevent its forfeiture. This, coupled with other operational constraints, has further complicated Vistara’s efforts to maintain regular flight schedules.

Passengers, frustrated by multiple flight delays and a lack of accurate information from the airline, have taken to social media to voice their concerns. Many have tagged the aviation minister, urging an investigation into the issue. The airline, in turn, expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to customers, assuring them of ongoing efforts to provide seamless connectivity.

Meanwhile, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore announced its approval of the merger between Air India and Vistara, subject to specified terms. The merger has raised questions about potential challenges and adjustments within the combined entity, which, if not addressed effectively, could continue to impact operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

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