Spark News India Igniting Minds Daily
Vistara finds itself amidst a significant upheaval as over 100 flights have been cancelled and numerous others delayed in the past two days, throwing passengers’ travel plans into disarray.
The airline, which operates approximately 300 flights daily, experienced a sudden surge in disruptions on Monday, with nearly 80 flights cancelled and over 190 delayed across its network. Tuesday witnessed a continuation of the chaos, with dozens more flights cancelled and numerous delays reported.
Attributing the disruptions to “crew unavailability,” Vistara acknowledged the problem, announcing a temporary reduction in flights and the deployment of larger aircraft on certain routes to accommodate affected passengers. However, the airline did not specify the duration of this truncated schedule.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have intervened, directing Vistara to submit a detailed report on the crisis and mitigation measures. The DGCA has further instructed the airline to provide daily reports on flight cancellations and delays, ensuring compliance with passenger rights regulations.
At the heart of the issue lies significant discontent among Vistara pilots, primarily first officers, over a new compensation structure introduced as part of a pay harmonization exercise preceding Vistara’s planned merger with Tata Group’s Air India.
Announced in February, the new pay structure guarantees pay for only 40 flying hours per month, down from the previous 70 hours. Concerned about potential salary reductions, numerous pilots called in sick in early March, prompting operational disruptions. Subsequently, the airline issued an ultimatum to pilots, compelling them to accept the new pay structure or forego associated benefits.
Beyond pay, pilots also express concerns about career progression opportunities and seniority post-merger with Air India, scheduled for next year. Additionally, dissatisfaction arises from rostering practices impacting work-life balance.
With neither pilots nor management showing signs of concession, experts suggest a swift resolution requiring flexibility from both parties.
This disruption serves as a cautionary tale for Tata Group as it moves towards consolidating its airline business, including merging Air India and Vistara. Mergers entail complex people integration, often leading to friction over pay parity, organizational culture, and career prospects.
