Pilots who have not yet agreed to the revised pay scale are urged by Vistara to comply by this Friday. Failure to do so could result in the loss of a one-time payment and imply that the pilots have no intention of joining Air India after the merger is completed.

The new pay structure, a key component of Vistara’s integration with Air India, has sparked controversy among the pilots. It entails a significant change: pilots will now receive a fixed salary for 40 hours of flying time, a stark reduction from the current 70-hour arrangement. This adjustment has led to uproar among the ranks, with some pilots facing potential pay cuts of over 50%.

Reports surfaced earlier this month of pilots taking sick leave in protest against the proposed changes. Vistara, however, refuted these claims, attributing flight disruptions to external factors such as weather conditions and air traffic congestion.

With tensions escalating, Vistara has taken a decisive stance. Pilots who do not accept the new terms by the specified deadline risk forfeiting a one-time payout and jeopardizing their future within the integrated airline. Furthermore, those who decline the offer may find themselves excluded from the transition to Air India, effectively cutting ties with the merged entity.

The ultimatum extends beyond mere financial implications. Pilots failing to sign the contract within the allotted timeframe stand to lose their place on the coveted “upgrade sequence list,” adding another layer of consequence to their decision.

By mid-2025, about vistara airlines hopes to have completed its ambitious integration plan. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore’s conditional consent, along other recent regulatory approvals, indicate that the merger is advancing. The National Company Law Tribunal’s ultimate approval, nevertheless, is still waiting.