Vistara anticipates a return to regular flight operations by the weekend, signaling progress in resolving the ongoing pilot strike. According to company sources, CEO Vinod Kannan and senior management conducted a virtual town hall, addressing pilot grievances stemming from the Air India merger.
Assurances of improved growth prospects post-merger and better pilot rostering have been offered to assuage concerns.
More than 150 flights has been cancelled by Vistara in last few days as pilots have refused to resume duties over several issues.
Pilots’ Concerns and Vistara’s Response
Pilots expressed feeling overburdened due to crew shortages, operating near maximum flight duty limits. They cited health issues and financial strain from exceeding sick leave allowances. Despite warnings to management about fatigue-related concerns, reliance on software over pilot feedback has been highlighted. In contrast, Vistara attributed recent flight disruptions to crew unavailability and pledged to minimize customer inconvenience.
Resolution and Future Outlook
Nearly all pilots have accepted the new contract terms, signaling potential resolution. However, detailed grievances in a 10-point statement underscore lingering concerns. Reduced cost-to-company (CTC) and increased flight hours have sparked discontent. Nonetheless, Vistara emphasizes incentivized structures under the new contract, indicating potential for increased earnings. As discussions progress, both sides seek to ensure a smoother operational transition post-merger.
