Vistara propels growth with continuous focus on sustainability
In the highly competitive Indian aviation market, Vistara has successfully crafted a wellbalanced product, winning travellers’ hearts and customer loyalty. In an exclusive interaction, Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, offers valuable insights into the airline's recent advancements, delving into key areas such as fleet expansion, international routes, and sustainable aviation initiatives.
Vistara currently has a fleet of 66 aircraft, including 50 Airbus A320neo, 10 A321, and six Boeing 7879 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline looks forward to receiving one more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and three more A320neo aircraft from the order that they placed with Airbus and Boeing in 2018 and having a fleet of 70 aircraft by the end of FY2024. With these aircraft joining the fleet, the airline is committed to expanding its domestic and international network.
Expressing a sense of pride in these notable advancements, Kannan says, “We recently added three international destinations, namely Hong Kong, Bali, and Doha. Additionally, our operations in Mumbai have witnessed remarkable expansion in recent times, especially as a gateway to our international network. Vistara now connects Mumbai to a total of 14 international destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Colombo, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Male, Mauritius, Muscat, and Singapore.”
Soaring Ambitions to Reach New Horizons
Vistara has also enhanced connectivity to many of its existing international destinations. The airline recently increased the number of flights from 4x to 6x weekly between Pune and Singapore and introduced a second daily flight from Mumbai to Singapore. The flight frequency from Mumbai to London has been ramped up to daily from the previous 4x weekly. They also introduced a new route connecting Delhi and the Maldives with daily direct flights. “These additions are in line with our continued efforts towards offering more flexibility and ease to our customers when planning their travel with India’s best airline. We are continuously exploring opportunities to further expand our international network by introducing new destinations and connecting our existing destinations with more Indian airports,” informs Kannan.
Eco-Friendly Flight Path
Airlines, in general, have been increasingly recognising the importance of sustainability due to the environmental impact of aviation. Vistara has shown tremendous interest in sustainability initiatives and reducing environmental impact. “At Vistara, it has been our constant endeavour to make a positive impact on the communities and environment that we operate in by keeping a sharp focus on sustainability. Since its inception, we have been investing strategically to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment. For instance, our fleet of A320Neo, A321Neo, and B-787 Dreamliner aircraft is powered by leading-edge technologies and advanced systems, resulting in a reduction of engine noise and better fuel efficiency,” mentions Kannan.
In March 2023, Vistara achieved a milestone by operating a wide-body aircraft on a long-haul international route using a blend of 30 per cent SAF and 70 per cent conventional jet fuel, reducing approximately 150,000 pounds of CO2 emissions. Building on this achievement, the airline also operated a commercial domestic flight on a wide-body aircraft using SAF, another industry-first initiative. This flight, utilising a blend of 17 per cent SAF and 83 per cent conventional jet fuel, resulted in a reduction of approximately 10,000 pounds of CO2 emissions.
For a Greener Tomorrow
In its commitment to sustainability, Vistara has been investing in cutting-edge green technologies as well. “Notably, we have adopted Aerowash, an automated aircraft cleaning solution by AeroTech Support Services, optimising fuel efficiency by minimising aerodynamic drag. Pioneering in India, we've implemented SITA eWAS and SITA OptiClimb®, leveraging data-driven solutions to enhance flight planning, reduce fuel consumption, and slash yearly carbon emissions by 15,000 tonnes,” asserts Kannan.
As part of Vistara’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the airline advocates reusable stainlesssteel cutlery in business and premium economy cabins on all flights and has introduced biodegradable bamboo cutlery onboard. The paper napkins used on all flights are produced with recycled paper, while the garbage bags are made of biodegradable compost material. All beverages onboard are served in paper glasses instead of plastic. The airline also recycles its inflight magazines and has responsibly recycled over 12,000 kg of the previous issues since 2022.
Furthermore, with the objective of increasing the green cover in the country, the airline launched the Vistara Green Miles initiative, under which it organises regular tree plantation drives across its network. “All these initiatives represent our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, propelling Vistara towards a future where technology and eco-friendly practices converge to shape the aviation industry's sustainable future,” concludes Kannan.