Vistara Grapples with Flight Cancellations Due to Pilot Shortage

Vistara, the Indian airline, has faced significant disruptions in its flight operations, leading to over 100 cancellations and major delays in the past week. The shortage of pilots and crew has been cited as the primary reason behind these disruptions. In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has requested a detailed report from Vistara regarding the flight cancellations and delays.

The airline is expected to cancel approximately 60 flights on Tuesday, following the cancellation of around 50 flights on Monday. According to reports, this number could even rise to 70. Vistara has attributed these flight disruptions to the shortage of pilots and crew and has announced measures to address the situation. These measures include a reduction in flight operations and the utilization of wide-body aircraft on domestic routes.

In a statement, a Vistara spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by the airline, stating, “We have had a significant number of flight cancellations and delays in the past few days due to various reasons including crew unavailability.” The spokesperson reassured passengers that efforts are underway to stabilize the situation and that operations at regular capacity will resume soon.

To minimize customer inconvenience, Vistara has deployed larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and A321neo, on select domestic routes to accommodate more passengers. The airline is also offering alternate flight options or refunds to affected customers.

This is not the first time Vistara has experienced disruptions in its flight operations due to pilot shortages. Economic Times reported that first officers of Vistara, dissatisfied with the new employment contract, have been reporting sick over the past two days, contributing to multiple flight delays.

Despite the challenges, Vistara is working diligently to address the situation and ensure a smooth travel experience for its passengers.