Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Tata-owned full-service airline Vistara is currently grappling with a crisis stemming from a shortage of crew, resulting in numerous flight cancellations and disruptions.
Media reports indicate that the airline is experiencing significant disruptions due to pilots calling in sick in groups, protesting against the revised salary structure ahead of Vistara's merger with Air India.
Reports suggest that Vistara's revised salary structure is leading to a decrease in salary components while increasing incentives tied to flying hours.
A spokesperson from Vistara confirms the disruption in flight services, citing crew unavailability as one of the primary reasons for the flight cancellations and delays.
Several media reports highlight a significant number of flight cancellations, with 38 flights being cancelled on a single day - 15 from Mumbai, 12 from Delhi, and 11 from Bengaluru.
The Civil Aviation Ministry is intervening to resolve the matter, requesting Vistara to submit a detailed report regarding the massive flight cancellations and delays witnessed over the past week.
Aviation sources familiar with the situation reveal that the interruption in Vistara's flight operations is due to pilots refusing to fly extended hours, further exacerbating the crisis.
Vistara spokesperson assures customers that the airline is actively working to resolve the issue and minimize inconvenience. Measures include temporarily reducing the number of flights, deploying larger aircraft, offering alternate flight options, and refunds to affected customers.