Vistara CEO, pilots discuss concerns as flight cancellations continue

The Aviation Ministry has intervened, demanding a detailed response from Vistara regarding the flight cancellations.

Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan along with HR and other senior officials virtually met all pilots regarding the issue of compensation, CNBC-TV18 learned through sources. Concrete details are awaited. Since the start of the week, nearly 100 flights have already been cancelled due to the absence of pilots and other crew-related issues.

The airline cancelled more than 60 flights on April 2, a Times of India report said. Vistara cancelled 14 departures and 17 arrivals from Mumbai alone. Flights from Mumbai to Paris and Male on international routes were also cancelled. Passengers with connections on international flights departing from Delhi and Mumbai were particularly affected. Kolkata experienced one cancellation and numerous delays.

The airline has not released a statement on the disruptions which coincide with the onset of the summer season, which sees a spike in air travel as schools and colleges break for holidays.

Latest reports say recently at least 15 senior first officers resigned over a growing dispute over revision in pay. A section of pilots were unhappy with the airline's new contract, which slashes their compensation, sources said.

Following the widespread chaos on April 2, the aviation ministry demanded a response from Vistara on flight cancellations.

Also read: Vistara flight cancellations: MoCA says airlines have to comply with DGCA norms to ease passenger woes

CNBC-TV18 recently spoke to Sivaraman, former Director General of Civil Aviation, and Sanjay Lazar, an aviation expert. Sivaraman said the unrest had been brewing since early March, with pilots expressing discontent over reduced flying allowances. The airline should address pilot grievances promptly, he said.

Also read: Has your Vistara flight been cancelled? MC explains why

Lazar, too, stressed the need for a dialogue between the airline and its pilots and said a reduction in salaries could demoralise the workforce.

Both experts called for finding a middle ground to ensure smooth operation of flights and passenger satisfaction.