After several delayed and cancelled flights, the CEO of Vistara will meet with pilots.
New Delhi: Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan will meet with pilots employed by the airline this afternoon after a spate of flight cancellations and delays, sources have informed NDTV Profit. Top management and the human resources staff will also participate in the virtual conference.
This occurs after over 100 flights were cancelled and several more delayed throughout the previous two days, causing passenger annoyance and extended wait times.
A "significant number" of flight cancellations and delays, according to the airline, have occurred "due to various reasons including crew unavailability".
Additionally, the airline announced that it has chosen to temporarily lower the number of flights it offers in order "to ensure adequate connectivity across our network".
"We are aware of the trouble this has caused to our consumers and are very concerned about it. That being said, our personnel are striving to minimise the clients' pain "read the statement.
Additionally, the airline announced that it has chosen to temporarily lower the number of flights it offers in order "to ensure adequate connectivity across our network".
"In certain domestic routes, we have also used larger aircraft, such as our B787-9 Dreamliner and A321neo, to combine flights or, when feasible, accommodate a higher number of passengers. In addition, we are providing affected customers with refunds or other flight choices, where appropriate. We acknowledge once more that our consumers have experienced great distress as a result of these disruptions and really apologies to them for the same. Vistara has stated, "We are working to stabilise the situation and will very soon resume operating at our regular capacity."
It has been reported that Vistara pilots are refusing to work as they oppose the new pay scale in advance of the airline's merger with Air India. The updated pay schedule was mailed to the pilots, who were instructed to sign it right away. The pilots have been informed that they will not be included in the merger if they choose not to sign.
Pilots who are required to fly 40 hours per month instead of the previous 70 hours claim that their cost to company (CTC) has decreased under the new contract. According to airline sources, pilots who fly more often are rewarded with higher potential pay under the new arrangement. Thus far, there hasn't been any progress in the negotiations between the pilots and management.
Vistara has been asked to provide daily updates, and the Centre is keeping an eye on the issue.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, the minister of civil aviation, has requested that the airline provide details on the measures it is doing to address the inconvenience to customers. Vistara has been requested to provide daily information on cancellations and delays by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.