Airlines

Vistara brand to be dropped after merger, says Air India CEO

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Campbell Wilson, the chief executive officer of Air India, announced on Monday that the Vistara brand would be discontinued after the merger. The full-service airline will only be known as Air India, a name that is much more recognizable outside of India. Wilson indicated that in that “new manifestation,” some of Vistara’s heritage would be preserved.

Air India to introduce premium economy class in some international flights from December 2022(Opens in a new browser tab)

Since assuming control of the losing Air India in January of last year, Tata Group has been working to transform the airline group. As part of this effort, it has announced that Vistara will merge with itself and that AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India, will be integrated into Air India Express.

“One full-service and one low-cost airline will be included in the group, respectively. Air India and Vistara will amalgamate to create the full-service airline “explained Wilson.

Tatas rename AirAsia India as AIX Connect ahead of merger(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to Wilson, Air India is far more well-known outside of India due to its 90-year history, despite Vistara having very strong recognition inside the domestic market. According to him, they intend to keep the Maharaja brand and want it to be a part of “Air India’s future.” Wilson remarked, “That is really loved… It will be a part of our future.”

Air India will take over as the nation’s leading domestic and international airline if the purchase is finalised. Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is anticipated to close by March 2024.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.