Vistara cancels over 100 flights amid pilots’ protest over salary structure.
Cash-strapped Vistara was forced to ground over 100 flights in two days this week, disrupting travel plans of thousands, as pilots protested a proposed salary structure ahead of the airline’s merger with Air India.
Sources said several first officers had gone on sick leave to oppose changes that could impact the fixed pay component in favour of performance-linked incentives.
While 10-15 flights were getting cancelled daily since mid-February when new contracts were announced, the numbers surged sharply on Monday and Tuesday.
Bowing to pressure, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan convened an emergency meeting with staff and HR to address the 40-day-long dissent. The meeting also stated reducing operations temporarily to lessen passenger inconvenience.
Aviation regulator DGCA stepped in, seeking daily updates from the carrier and directing it to ensure refunds/aid for flyers hit by the impasse.
Staff discontent has been simmering at the Tata Group-Singapore Airlines joint venture in light of parity salary plans as it integrates with state-owned Air India post-acquisition.
While the precise resolution remains unclear, the episode underlines challenges in industrial relations as the industry navigates demanding recovery dynamics.
