Ratan Tata, Chandra review AI seat options

July 17, 2023 09:44

The Competition Commission of India's (CCIs) request to Air India for more information regarding its proposed merger with Vistara is a 'normal and important part of the evaluation process', its CEO and MD Campbell Wilson told employees.

Last month, the CCI had issued a notice to Air India asking why its proposed merger with Vistara should not be probed over concerns about competition in the Indian aviation market.

Meanwhile, Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran personally reviewed seat options for premium cabins in Air India's future aircraft, Wilson said.

In February, Air India placed the world's second largest single-tranche order for 470 planes -- 250 with Airbus and 220 with Boeing.

"You may have recently read that the CCI has asked for more information regarding our proposal to merge with Vistara. We welcome this request," Wilson told employees in a message that has been reviewed by Business Standard.

Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA) had, in April, filed a merger application with the CCI.

It stated that the amalgamation of Vistara with Air India will not lead to any change in the competitive landscape or cause any appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.

They expressed hope to conclude the merger by March 2024. Air India is wholly owned by Tata Sons. Vistara, on the other hand, is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons and SIA.

On India's top-five busiest routes, the Air India Group -- which comprises Air India, Vistara, AirAsia India and Air India Express -- in June held 38-53 per cent share in terms of scheduled flights, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Wilson said the process related to the CCI is running its 'proper course'.Air India continues to make progress on the integration of its low-cost carriers (LCCs): Air India Express and AirAsia India, he added.

-- Deepak Patel/Business Standard

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