Jobaaj Stories
The ongoing merger between Air India and Vistara has reached a significant milestone as the assessment of over 7,000 employees has been completed, paving the way for a clearer understanding of their roles within the merged entity. This development, disclosed by reliable sources on Monday, signifies a crucial step forward in the merger process, which is expected to reshape the landscape of India's aviation sector.
The top executives of Air India and Vistara, namely Campbell Wilson, CEO, and MD of Air India, and Vinod Kannan, CEO of Vistara, conducted a comprehensive town hall meeting on Monday, engaging with employees from both airlines to discuss the impending merger. The meeting, lasting over an hour, aimed to provide insights into the merger's progress and its implications on the workforce.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Wilson articulated that the merger is anticipated to conclude by the end of the year, a timeline aligned with previous projections. With Air India and Vistara collectively employing over 23,500 individuals, the completion of assessments for more than 7,000 staff marks a significant stride towards integration.
Key points highlighted during the meeting include:
- Fitment Process: The assessment process, encompassing various aspects such as skills, experience, and job requirements, is slated for completion by June. This will facilitate the allocation of roles and responsibilities to employees, including flight crew members, based on their suitability and competency.
- Secondment of Pilots: Notably, approximately 120 pilots have already been seconded between Vistara and Air India, underscoring the collaborative approach adopted in staffing arrangements. The movement of employees between the two carriers will persist through secondment, a practice aimed at optimizing resource utilization.
- Organizational Structure: To ensure fairness and transparency, the organizational structure has been meticulously devised with the assistance of a global consulting firm. Leveraging insights from the aviation industry, the structure prioritizes efficiency while accommodating plans for fleet expansion, network augmentation, and service enhancements in the foreseeable future.
- Integration Process: Kannan, serving as the chief integration officer for the merger, provided insights into the integration process undertaken thus far. Emphasizing the importance of organizational design and employee fitment, he outlined the next steps in the integration journey, aimed at seamless consolidation of operations.
Furthermore, the impending merger, poised to create one of the largest airline conglomerates, holds strategic significance in the global aviation arena. With Singapore Airlines poised to acquire a 25.1% stake in Air India post-merger, and Vistara operating as a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group, the combined entity is poised for substantial growth and operational synergy.
The completion of staff assessments represents a critical turning point in the integration process as the merger of Air India and Vistara moves forward smoothly. It is anticipated by staff members that an easy integration into the new organizational structure, which is based on merit-based openness, and justice, will occur by June. With regulatory approvals drawing near, the combined company is ready to completely change the aviation industry in India by providing improved services and more connections to clients across the globe.
