Air India and Vistara integrate aircraft maintenance for better performance

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the integration of aircraft line maintenance operations between Air India and Vistara, marking a significant step towards their merger. This integration aims to optimize resources, enhance operational performance, and reduce aircraft turnaround times, ultimately improving on-time performance for both airlines. With a unified maintenance team, Air India will be better equipped to manage a diverse fleet of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, ensuring greater reliability in operations. The collaboration will also facilitate real-time access to maintenance records, allowing for quicker diagnosis and resolution of technical issues. This streamlined approach is expected to enhance the overall efficiency of maintenance activities across the combined fleet, which includes Air India Express, whose aircraft have previously been serviced by Vistara's maintenance team. Both airlines are part of the Tata Group, with Vistara being a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines. The integration is seen as a strategic move to create economies of scale in resource mobilization and to augment the trained workforce available for aircraft maintenance. The approval from DGCA, which includes the CAR 145 certification, is a crucial step in the operational alignment of the two airlines. As the merger progresses, Singapore Airlines is set to hold a 25.1% stake in Air India, further solidifying the partnership between the two airlines. This integration is expected to not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance the overall customer experience by ensuring timely and reliable flight services.