Tue Nov 12 05:28:50 UTC 2024: ## Vistara Takes Final Flight as Independent Airline, Merging with Air India
**Mumbai, India** – After nearly a decade in the sky, Vistara Airlines will operate its last flights as an independent entity on Monday night. The airline, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, is set to merge with Air India, creating a larger airline with Singapore Airlines retaining a 25.1% stake.
Vistara’s final domestic flight, UK 986, will depart Mumbai for Delhi around 10:50 PM, followed by its last international flight, UK 115, departing Delhi for Singapore at approximately 11:45 PM. The familiar “UK” flight code will disappear from the skies on Tuesday, replaced by the new “AI2XXX” code.
This marks a significant moment in Indian aviation, as the merger will leave Air India as the sole full-service Indian airline. The consolidation follows the merger of Air India Express with Air India’s budget carrier, AIX Connect, in October.
The merger is a major move by the Tata Group to strengthen its presence in the rapidly growing Indian aviation market. Vistara, with its fleet of 70 aircraft, currently operates around 350 flights daily. The integration of systems and staff from both airlines has been underway since the merger announcement in November 2022.
This latest merger mirrors the consolidation trend in Indian aviation that saw the merging of Indian Airlines with Air India in 2006-2007, as well as the integration of Air Sahara with Jet Airways and Air Deccan with Kingfisher Airlines during the same period.
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