Vistara To Cancel 10% Flights For April
Vistara has decided to cancel approximately 25-30 flights per day in a bid to mitigate the impact of crew shortages. The airline, which typically operates around 350 flights daily, aims to address the issue and minimise disruptions.
Industry insiders predict that Vistara's flight cancellations could lead to increased fares, particularly on metro routes. On the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, Vistara operates approximately 18 flights daily, trailing just behind IndiGo, which operates 19 flights.
"In a strategic move, we are reducing our daily operations by around 25-30 flights, equivalent to roughly 10 per cent of our total capacity. This will bring us back to the flight frequency levels seen at the end of February 2024," stated Vistara in a release issued on Sunday.
The airline had secured approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to increase its weekly flight operations by 22 per cent for the summer season compared to the winter schedule.
A spokesperson highlighted that the cancellations primarily affect domestic routes and are intended to enhance operational resilience and roster management. Vistara has faced criticism from passengers following the cancellation of over 150 flights in recent days due to pilot shortages. Several first officers at Vistara reached their monthly flying limit of 100 hours, resulting in a shortage of available crew.
Vistara's CEO, Vinod Kannan, acknowledged the challenges posed by disruptions and emphasised ongoing efforts to recruit additional pilots. "We are actively recruiting more pilots and are adjusting our operations cautiously to bolster resilience and improve roster management," he affirmed.
