Singapore Airlines-Tata Joint Venture Vistara Plans To Start Flying International In Second Half Of 2019

Vistara airlines is planning to launch international services in the second half of this year, the Hindu reports. The joint venture from Singapore Airlines and Tata has flying in Indian skies for over four years, with 22 planes and operating 850 flights weekly.

Vistara is looking to start medium and long-haul flights, depending on approvals they get. “We see India as a growing market. We are here for the long term,” Vistara CEO Leslie Thng said while adding that they plan to begin international operations in the second half of 2019.

In 2018, the airline had placed an order to purchase and lease 50 aircraft form Airbus A320 neo family. In May, they announced the leasing of four Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft and two A320 neo planes. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2019 and 2023, and use these for both domestic and short and medium-haul operations.

Vistara has also purchased six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s which are scheduled to arrive between 2020 and 2021 for long-haul international operations.

Thng said that Vistara can start short-haul flights but requires more time for long-haul flights.“If we do get the necessary rights, we do have a plan in place on how do we plan to operationalise it but I will not be able to share too much detail...,” he said.