VISTARA GETS GOVT APPROVAL TO FLY OVERSEAS

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI : Full-service carrier Vistara has been granted permission to operate on international routes, civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said on Wednesday.

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons Ltd and Singapore Airlines Ltd, had sought government clearance last June when it added its 20th aircraft and became eligible for offering international services.

The licence to fly international routes is a big boost to the airline, which is seeking to spread its wings.

In January 2019, Vistara reported carrying 470,000 passengers with a domestic market share of 3.8% in a market dominated by Indigo with more than 42% and Spicejet with 13.3%.

Vistara’s market share in January is a marginal improvement over what was reported in the corresponding month of the previous year, according to data available with the government.

Airlines were earlier required to fly for at least five years on domestic routes and have a fleet of 20 aircraft before being allowed to fly international.

The five-year flying requirement was dropped in the 2016 civil aviation policy.

Vistara, which started operations in January 2015, now serves 24 destinations with more than 730 flights a week with a fleet of 20 Airbus A320 aircraft.