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Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

Not sure how this airline can survive in a cut throat, LCC-dominated market in the face of ridiculously high fuel costs, taxes, landing fees, etc.

Maybe the Tatas and SQ know something the rest of us don't.

Let's hope so!

Aseem · Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: YYZ

if they make the correct value proposition such as cool interiors and larger portion of meals, they certainly can... they revive the legacy of AI with cool culturally inspired wallpapers. ....something no other airlines has done.

VT-ASJ
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Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

TKMCE · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 957

Jaysit

India has a lot of corporate and government traffic. Vistara is to be based out of DEL. The average sector lengths are longer compared to a BOM based airline and while they do mean higher cost as well it also means more people might be willing to shell out money on DEL flights than BOM flights from places like BLR, MAA and HYD.

Politicians love to travel "premium class". Each Member of parliament is allowed 34 air journeys an year and I cannot find any restriction that they have to travel Air India or travel economy class. The southernmost states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala has 39 and 20 MPs respectively.

And finally I have always maintained that the biggest looser when Vistara comes on to the scene will be Indigo. Many of the "premium" segment travellers put up with Indigo because in my opinion they are fed up with a "brand confused" Jet Airways and an increasingly "international feeder" network of Air India out of DEL and fly Indigo more because of their network and frequencies.

Vistara business class has the potential to become an "aspirational product" like Kingfisher did become in its early days. And TATA and SIA will definitely be avoiding many elementary mistakes which Kingfisher did. I don't think many people for instance are aware that KF had A319/320/321 aircraft with multiple configurations from 8 to 32 business class seats. Find it hard to believe??? Here goes
http://www.flykingfisher.com/about-us/our-fleet.aspx

ameya · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 2:39 am Post subject:

Aseem · Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: YYZ

747-237 · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 5:09 am Post subject:

iah87 · Member Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2566

TKMCE · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 957

Vistara is not going to compete with Indigo but the pax who shift to them are unlikely to be those who were for example taking the Punjab Mail or Dehradun express between DEL and BOM.

AI may still have the government babus travelling and the frequent flyer miles may help 9W to hang on to some of their loyalists but on longer stage lengths out of DEL, Indigo may loose its charm if Vistara get its offering right. Not just the cool interiors and vibrant colours, but a reasonable flght change fee for instance and a 20 KG baggage allowance to start with may soon make many Indigo flyers realise that Vistara may be a better option in my opinion.

And how about a sign up mileage bonanza especially for 9W and AI top tier frequent flyer members??? A revision of the travel policies of the Tata Group of companies will not happen??? Let us see....

Ameya Ji, AI 321 is a 20 + 152 as per their website.. KF had about half a dozen A321s with 32/119..... ??? Don't know whether the plan to KF was to offer Privat Air type service???

ameya · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:29 pm Post subject:

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

TKMCE · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 957

No Ameya

There were 4 32 J 119 Y at one time. KFN KFP KFQ and KFR.

Two all Y 199s -DEL PNQ used to see them a lot KFS and KFW

Then two others A321s on 20 J 158 Y KFY/KFZ

There was no 20 J/154 Y . However there were 3 A320s all economy 174s KFT/KFV/KFX along with the A320 in 20/114 which had the biggest number and 3 all Y A319s.

20 J 114 Y- 144 Y-32 J 119 Y-20 J 158 Y- 174 Y- 180 -/199 Y...That were way too many configurations. The 180 Y were old Deccan a/c and some of them got changed to 8/156. This was what I meant elementary mistakes by KF. Too many configurations. was an example.. The infamous A 330 configuration 30 J 187 Y was another.

Anyway back to Vistara

Sumataraji

Dehradun express mention was deliberate. Dehradun Express, Alleppy -Dhanbad express are all famous in its own right but as I mentioned hardly the passengers Vistara is trying to attract to fly them!!!!

Also what is the revised configuration of AI A321s??? And also I think you meant the two class A320s (the current 20/120) and not A319s which are 8/114. I also read about the same...

Karan69 · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 1334

747-237 · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:58 pm Post subject:

http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-ready-to-fly-vistara-poaches-key-men-from-indigo-jetlite-report-660353

Ready to Fly, Vistara Poaches Key Men From IndiGo, JetLite: Report

September 07, 2014

Vistara, the Tata-Singapore Airlines joint venture, which is awaiting flying permit from the aviation regulator DGCA, has inducted a senior pilot from IndiGo to head its safety team, according to sources.

Besides, the carrier has also picked up JetLite quality manager Deepak Joshi to be a part of its safety wing, sources familiar with the development told PTI.

Vistara is likely to take off next month subject to issuance of the air operator permit (AOP) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

"IndiGo senior Commander Ashutosh Verma has moved to Vistara where he has been made head of the safety wing," the sources said.

Mr Verma is a DGCA-approved examiner, trainer and instructor, a mandatory requirement for the key job in an airline, they said.

Mr Joshi, who was handling some key responsibilities as quality control manager at JetLite, including aircraft deliveries, joined Vistara early this month, they said.

The private airline has already appointed C S Varadarajan as chief human resources officer, Phee Teik Yeoh as CEO, Giamming Toh as chief commercial officer and Niyant Maru as chief financial officer. Capt Roshan Joshi from SIA will head the flight operations.

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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

HAWK21M · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:33 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 6:47 pm Post subject:

http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/vistara-may-take-off-on-october-15-114090800770_1.html

Vistara may take off on October 15

Will commemorate J R D Tata's flight from Karachi to Mumbai on the same date in 1932

September 8, 2014

Vistara may commence operations on October 15 commemorating J R D Tata's flight from Karachi to Mumbai on the same date in 1932. J R D Tata's flight carrying mail between the two cities was the first by an Indian company and opened up air link to peninsular India.

Vistara, a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, is awaiting approval form Directorate General of Civil Aviation to start service and is expecting its first Airbus A320 this week.

"We cannot comment on the (launch) date at this stage. While, we have a plan but it all depends on a series of processes we need to go through and progress on approvals,'' a Vistara spokesperson said.

"We will take delivery of our first aircraft, an Airbus A320, in the 2nd week of September. All going well, we plan to conduct proving flights in the next 4 weeks. We have a plan but it all depends on the process and progress of approvals we need to go through. We will be able to share more with you when we are ready,'' the spokesperson added.

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747-237 · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 6:54 pm Post subject:

A Vistara spokesperson told Firstbiz that bookings can be made by the first week of October for the first flight through select travel agents and through the Vistara website.
A full schedule of the airline will be published in the next few days.

http://firstbiz.firstpost.com/corporate/vistara-may-compete-on-busy-delhi-mum-route-bookings-begin-early-oct-98080.html
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:42 am Post subject:

The future VT-TTC.

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The_Goat · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject:

So is it true that Vistara's first aircraft is going to be entering service wearing an all-white colour scheme?

How sloppy is that?
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:35 am Post subject:

The airline which was desperately seeking Air Operator Permit from the aviation regulator - the DGCA will now have to wait for some more months. This means that the airline in all probability will not be in a position to start its operations by October.

Not divulging much details the DGCA told Headlines Today that it will take some months before Vistara could secure AOP. It said that the airline would have to ensure all the requisite requirements and comply with the processes.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vistara-airlines-operation-postponed-for-october/1/381869.html
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:08 pm Post subject:

According to Civil Aviation Ministry sources, the first Airbus aircraft that will join Vistara will go to Singapore to acquire the airline’s colours

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/vistara-airline-awaits-formal-clearances/article6397790.ece
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:03 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:24 pm Post subject:

http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-vistara-fleet-to-be-maintained-by-airbus-report-663849

Vistara Fleet to be Maintained by Airbus: Report

September 14, 2014

Vistara has outsourced its engineering support services to original equipment maker Airbus and is also negotiating with homegrown AirWorks for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of its fleet, sources close to the development said on Sunday.

The full service carrier, which was earlier expected to take wings by the middle of next month, may now take a couple of months to launch its operations due to pending technical regulatory approvals.

"Vistara, which will have an all-Airbus fleet to begin with, has outsourced day-to-day maintenance of its fleet to the European aviation major Airbus," sources in Mumbai told PTI.

However, when contacted, both Vistara and AirWorks spokespersons declined to comment on the development. An announcement to this effect is likely to be announced soon, sources said.

Last month, Vistara chief executive Phee Teik Yeoh had said that he planned to have a fleet of five aircraft by the end of the year.

The Delhi-based airline has already decided to lease 20 Airbus A320 aircraft, including seven A320 Neo airplanes, which have the latest technology.

The airline is also in discussions with AirWorks for awarding the contract for maintenance, repair and overhaul of its aircraft.
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:51 am Post subject:

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/V7hMT7V5eSRiOVWpVAbg2H/TataSIA-Vistaras-first-aircraft-delivery-hits-DGCA-hurdle.html

Vistara’s first aircraft delivery hits DGCA hurdle

Sep 16 2014.

Tata SIA Airlines Ltd is downplaying a delay in taking delivery of its first aircraft which, according to one government official, was caused by red tape.

“There was an opinion that the operations manual of the airline is not ready so it cannot be allowed to fly into India,” said this person who asked not to be identified.

Interestingly, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had initially cleared the delivery and a team from the airline, branded Vistara, and an officer from DGCA was at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, when it changed its mind.

Vistara confirmed it has not taken delivery of the aircraft.

“As you are aware, there are multiple approvals and the completion of the process takes time. Moreover, since this is the delivery of our first aircraft, as a new airline, there are additional things which have to be done,” a spokesperson for Vistara said. “We need a little more time to file for over flight clearances. Hence, we have decided to defer our ferry flight.”

New airlines are typically allowed to do a ferry flight of their first aircraft without operations manual in place after which they undergo other mandatory procedures including proving flights under DGCA eye.

In this case, a DGCA officer had flown to Toulouse and was stationed there to inspect and register the plane. Vistara’s pilots and engineers too had flown to Toulouse. Both the DGCA official and the Vistara team have now flown back without the aircraft.

The airline declined to comment on whether there had been any issues with DGCA on the delivery.

“You must also be aware that senior officers of other airlines must be trying all tricks to delay the launch because the heavy traffic season will start now and they do not want Tata-Singapore to catch the flight. And if you go to the DGCA you will find many of them there,” Sivaraman said.
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:22 am Post subject:

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/dDJXZ8prPUr8c92O29TeuI/TataSIA-seeks-waiver-on-regional-flying.html

Tata-SIA seeks waiver on regional flying

Sep 25 2014

Vistara has asked the government to delay the implementation of a new rule that makes it mandatory for local airlines to deploy planes to connect smaller towns saying it will affect the viability of new airlines.

Vistara said it wants at least a one-year grace period after it starts operation before the regional connectivity rule is implemented, as it could potentially impact start-ups such as AirAsia India and six other companies that have recently won airline licences.

“We would like to submit that this proposal will only accelerate the immediate demise of new start-ups before they are given the opportunity and time to bolster their performance, financially and operationally,” Vistara wrote in a letter to the aviation ministry headed by P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju. Mint has reviewed a copy of the 12 September letter.

“Being a Tata company, we understand the responsibilities we must undertake to address the needs of the nation to the fullest extent possible... the proposed guidelines on regional connectivity may be made applicable only when an airline has been given international flying rights, in order to allow sufficient bandwidth for such diversified operations and also for a new airline to establish itself firmly,” the letter notes. “A sustainable model would require airlines to cross-subsidize these routes with either domestic or international connecting traffic. Both options are not available for new start-ups.”

Vistara said it needs a year to stabilize operations before flying to several regional routes as proposed under the ministry’s new policy. It has said its business plan was made according to the government’s stated policy in March.
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iah87 · Member Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2566

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Vistara first aircraft on way to Delhi
News
25-Sep-2014 11:15 AM
Vistara CEO PT Yoeh said the carrier's first aircraft (VT-TTB) is on its way from Toulouse to Delhi, stating in a letter to colleague: "We will be welcoming the baby at Delhi tomorrow afternoon" (aerospacediary, 24-Sep-2014). He spoke of the "roller coaster ride" and how "no one can stop us." The letter said: "Mr Tata had reminded them of " abberations" and setbacks, adding: "We live in an imperfect world...this is what separates the men from the boys."

747-237 · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:58 pm Post subject:

http://www.livemint.com/Companies/ziPZhz6GXOR5JjlpRrhEaL/TataSIAs-Vistara-inducts-first-A320-aircraft.html

Tata-SIA’s Vistara inducts first aircraft

Sep 25 2014

Tata SIA Airlines Ltd-promoted Vistara got its first aircraft from the Airbus factory in Toulouse after a fortnight’s delay on Thursday evening.

The Airbus A320, registered VT-TTB and painted all-white and without the Vistara livery, landed at Delhi airport on Thursday evening.

The brand new aircraft is the first of the 20 A320 family aircraft to be leased from BOC Aviation by Vistara.

“We are very excited to receive the delivery of our first aircraft,” Phee Teik Yeoh, chief executive officer of Vistara said, “With such a fabulous start, we are certain that
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 12:09 am Post subject:

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747-237 · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:45 am Post subject:

Vistara's second aircraft, VT-TTC, has been delivered today as another white tail.
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747-237 · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:03 pm Post subject:

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Vistara pays USD814,000 to New India Assurance for insurance cover
News
3-Oct-2014 10:13 AM
Vistara reportedly secured insurance cover for its aircraft from New India Assurance for INR50 million (USD814,000) (PTI, 02-Oct-2014). New India Assurance said: "We have provided insurance cover to both the aircraft of Vistara. We are hopeful of providing cover to the three more planes the airline is likely to bring in for operations by next March". The premium amount fixed for providing the insurance cover to the five aircraft is INR50 million while the cover per aircraft under the hull segment is USD100 million, whereas it will be up to USD350 million under the liability segment.

star*gold · Member Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 187

So vistara gets insurance cover from New India Assurance. Air India goes to London to get insured? (read it in the Air India thread).

Any reason Air India can't be insured through an India based insurance company? International operations have anything to do with it?

Karan69 · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 1334

Why is Tata AIG not doing the insurance for its group airline

Karan

Sandy29 · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:03 pm Post subject: What website?

What will be vistara's website

vistara.com and vistara.in seem to be taken !!

747-237 · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:13 pm Post subject: Re: What website?

747-237 · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 2:34 am Post subject:

Vistara's third, the future VT-TTD.

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HAWK21M · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:27 pm Post subject:

When is the livery painting scheduled and where......
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747-237 · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:31 pm Post subject: