Vistara Trims Flight Schedule by 10% to Address Crew Shortages
Domestic Network Faces Most Cuts as Airline Works to Stabilize Operations
Vistara, the full-service airline known for its Tata Group association, announced a significant reduction in its flight capacity on Sunday. This move comes as the airline grapples with crew shortages, particularly pilots, who have been calling in sick in recent days, causing disruptions and cancellations.
Strategic Reduction for Operational Stability
In a statement released on Sunday, Vistara outlined a plan to strategically reduce its overall flight capacity by 10%. This translates to approximately 25-30 flights being removed from their daily schedule. The airline emphasized that these cuts will primarily target domestic routes, bringing their domestic flight operations back to the level they were at in late February 2024. Vistara believes this reduction will provide them with much-needed “resilience and buffer” in their pilot rosters. This buffer will allow them to manage pilot availability more effectively and prevent last-minute cancellations due to unforeseen crew shortages.
Pilot Call-Ins Cause Earlier Disruptions
Vistara’s decision to reduce capacity stems from flight disruptions experienced earlier this week. A significant number of pilots calling in sick led to cancellations and inconvenience for passengers. The airline has not publicly commented on the reasons behind the pilot call-ins, but some reports suggest potential labor disputes or dissatisfaction with work schedules.
Impact on Summer Schedule Adjustments
The airline had initially planned to capitalize on the ongoing summer season by operating over 300 flights daily. However, the crew shortages have forced them to adjust their schedule to prioritize operational stability and minimize passenger inconvenience. While this may result in fewer flight options on some domestic routes in the short term, it will allow Vistara to focus on resolving the crew shortage issue and potentially resume normal operations in the near future.
Looking Ahead: Addressing Crew Shortages and Restoring Service
Vistara’s capacity reduction is a temporary measure aimed at addressing immediate staffing challenges and creating a more predictable schedule for both passengers and airline personnel. While some domestic routes may see fewer flights in the coming days, the airline’s long-term strategy is focused on achieving operational stability. Once they have addressed the crew shortage issue, they can resume normal operations and potentially even expand their flight capacity to meet the demands of the busy summer travel season.
Passengers booked on affected flights are likely to be contacted by Vistara regarding rebooking options or cancellations. The airline has advised passengers to check their flight status regularly or contact Vistara customer service for the latest information.
