Air India and Vistara are looking to expedite their merger by seeking approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to reduce the training requirements for pilots and cabin crew. The Tata-owned airlines have suggested that Vistara crew moving to the merged Air India undergo a brief course since the manuals of both airlines have been harmonised.
DGCA is reviewing the manuals before granting any approval, according to a leading media house.
The DGCA and other aviation regulators require pilots to undergo crossover training when changing airlines or aircraft types. This training is to familiarise them with basic safety procedures, including handling emergencies, as these can differ between airlines, despite similarities in aircraft.
The process can take up to a month, involving both ground and simulator classes, followed by on-the-job training where a pilot must fly around 25 hours under an instructor's supervision.
Instead, Vistara pilots will undergo a short-term online training module to learn any differences, said the sources.
Since the manuals have been merged, there is now minimal difference except procedural variations like when to close doors before take-off or what public announcements to make during disruptions like precautionary landings or when to switch off the seat belt signs.
To address these differences, training will be provided via e-learning modules and repeated through instructor-led sessions.
The Tata Group aims to consolidate its airline business, which posted a loss of Rs 15,532 crore in FY23, as soon as possible to leverage synergies, achieve efficiencies and reduce duplication.
Under the restructuring plan, Air India Express and AirAsia India have been merged to form a no-frills airline, while the combined entity of Air India and Vistara will compete in the full-service segment.
The conglomerate is hurrying to complete the latter integration by the end of this year, although Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has stated that customer-facing elements, including Vistara's brand identity, won’t change before 2025.
The merger is equally important for Singapore Airlines, as its 25.1 per cent stake in the merged Tata airline entity will strengthen its presence in the world’s third-largest aviation market.
Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan stated on Friday that the transfer of employees from Vistara to Air India will begin on 17 July.
Several consultants, including BCG, Sabre and Oliver Wyman, have been hired to work on the merger process, which includes harmonising the workforce, route network and business practices.
