What is causing cancellation of Vistara flights| Explained
New Delhi: At least 39 flights have been cancelled today by Vistara airlines. On Monday, it was reported that the airlines cancelled close to 50 flights owing to crew and pilot unavailability. Many pilots and crew reported being sick, causing delays and cancellations of flights. As the crisis deepened, the Centre stepped in as it asked the airlines to explain the reason behind mass cancellation of flights.
Cancellations owing to Mass Sick Leaves by Pilots and Crew Members
In recent months, there has been a rise in Vistara pilots and crew members calling in sick. A large number of flights have been cancelled owing to the unavailability of pilots. 10-15 flights each from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore have been cancelled due to the same.
Pay Cuts and Revised Salary Structures
These cancellations come amidst concerns being flagged by pilots over pay cuts made by the company. The new and revised salary structures being operated by the company might be the reason why pilots and crew are unhappy with the company, and have started calling in sick in recent months.
In an email to its pilots, the airlines stated that those who do not sign up for the new pay structure would not be included on upgrade lists post the merger. Bonuses promised by the airline to its pilots were also made to be contingent on the latter’s acceptance of the new salary structure. Post the email announcement, many pilots called in sick leading to flight cancellations.
Merger with Air India
Vistara operates over 300 international and domestic flights. It announced a merger with Air India in 2022. Earlier this year, the CEO of Vistara had stated that all legal requirements and formalities are expected to be completed “by mid 2024”. Moreover, he also stated that the “operational part of the merger could take upto a year more”. The email by the airlines to its pilots announced that pilots not signing up for the new salary structure will not be included in the transition to Air India. This has caused dissatisfaction amongst pilots and crew members.
Centre Steps In Seeking Explanation by Vistara
After being flooded with complaints due to flight cancellations by Vistara airlines, the centre stepped in asking the airline for a report on what caused the flight cancellations. While Vistara has submitted a preliminary report, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia has asked the airline for a detailed report on the issue. The minister has also asked the airline how it plans to deal with the issue.
Deployment of Dreamliners and Airbus A321s due to backlog
In order to tackle the backlog caused by flight cancellations, Vistara has announced that it plans to cut flights to ensure connectivity. Moreover, it has announced that it will be pushing alternative flight options for its customers, with the deployment of wide body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A321s to clear the backlog. Owing to the need to “ensure adequate connectivity”, this decision will positively impact certain domestic travel routes, and will help to “combine flights or accommodate more number of customers”, the airlines said.
In the last few days, many on social media expressed discontent with the flight’s service. Many complained of long wait times caused by delays, and dissatisfaction with overall customer service. The airlines responded by saying that they are “working towards minimising the discontent of customers”.
