With a focus on strengthening its domestic foothold, Vistara has leased six aircraft from global aircraft operating leasing company BOC Aviation.
As a part of this, the Tata-SIA airline has leased four Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft to be delivered this month and two Airbus A320neo powered by CFM LEAP 1A engines, which is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2019.
Leslie Thng, chief executive officer, Vistara said, “Our focus on serving the domestic market has remained unwavered even as we prepare to become an international airline. These leased aircraft will be deployed to meet the sudden drop in capacity in the market and to aid the convenience of travellers.
“Our decision to induct a different aircraft type in our fleet is a carefully evaluated one, which is both, economically and commercially viable, and will eventually help us take the Vistara experience wider and deeper across markets in India.”
Vistara’s partnership with BOC Aviation dates back to 2014 when the airline leased its first 20 Airbus A320 family aircraft. Last year, Vistara placed its aircraft order of purchased and leased aircraft including Airbus A320neo family expected to be delivered between 2019 and 2023.
In addition to this, Vistara has also purchased six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that are scheduled to be delivered between 2020 and 2021.
Meanwhile, the airline has also announced recruiting around 500 former employees of Jet Airways. These include pilots, cabin crew, engineers and other staff from the temporarily shut airline.
“We are glad to also make the Vistara family stronger by the addition of close to 500 members, who are determined to deliver the Vistara brand promise of consistently delivering operational and service excellence across all touchpoints,” adds Thng.
Aneri Shroff