Vistara, the full-service carrier, announced on Sunday its decision to cancel 10 per cent of its daily flights in April, amounting to approximately 35 flights per day, or 1050 flights in the entire month of April.
This move comes amidst a turbulent period for the airline, which has faced disruptions in its operations since April 1.
Reasons Behind the Flight Cancellations and Pilot Unrest
The airline has been grappling with a series of flight cancellations, with over 150 flights cancelled since the beginning of April. The crisis escalated when a faction of pilots unexpectedly called in sick at the end of March, leading to widespread disruptions. This action by the pilots is believed to reflect discontent with the flight schedule and the revised salary structure proposed by the airline.
Vistara’s CEO Vinod Kannan acknowledged that high pilot utilisation, coupled with a portion of pilots taking sick leave, contributed to the flight cancellations. The situation worsened as the airline struggled to maintain its flight operations amidst the pilot unrest.
Resolution and Future Outlook
In response to the crisis, Vistara announced plans to scale back its operations by 25-30 flights per day, aiming to provide a much-needed buffer in the pilot rosters. The cancellations primarily affected the airline’s domestic network and were executed well in advance to minimize inconvenience to passengers.
The airline’s spokesperson assured that all affected passengers had been accommodated on other flights, and the situation was gradually improving, with on-time performance showing signs of recovery in recent days. Moreover, the spokesperson expressed optimism about stable operations for the remainder of April and beyond.
As part of addressing the pilot unrest, Vistara introduced a new salary structure, offering fixed salaries for 40 hours of flying time instead of the previous 70 hours. Additionally, pilots will receive compensation for extra flying hours and rewards based on their tenure with the airline.
Despite the challenges, Vistara remains committed to providing quality service to its customers. The airline’s efforts to stabilize operations and address pilot concerns reflect its dedication to navigating through this turbulent period.
