A joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, Vistara, is slowly and gradually inching towards eligibility of starting international operations as the carrier will be adding13th aircraft in the third week of October. The airline would have a total of 20 aircraft by 2018.
“We may be a small airline but have big ambition. We already added 12th aircraft in our fleet last week and 13th one will be delivered to us in the third week of October. As per plan, we will have 20 aircraft by 2018,” said Vistara CEO Phee Teik Yeoh.
Vistara has been keen on international operations from the very start but as per old rules new airlines had to fly locally for five years and have a fleet of 20 aircraft before venturing abroad. But in June, Government removed the five-year stipulation.This means Vistara, as per its current plan, will be eligible to launch its first overseas flight by 2018. The company uses Airbus A320 planes
“Vistara has 17 destinations in its network and growing. We will be adding more destinations to interesting places in times to come. In a short span of 20 months we have exceeded 200 million customers and are on the verge of having 300 million soon,” added Yeoh
The carrier on Monday launched the revamped Club Vistara(CV)frequent flyer program which not only provides its members enhanced privileges but also offers the fastest earn, redemption and fasterelite tier upgrades. CV members can accumulate CV points when flying with Vistara, engaging with co-brand and airline partners, and also by participating in various promotions.
In addition to the existing CV Gold and CV Silver membership tiers, the airline has introduced a Platinum membership as its highest tier, and has also introduced a two-track scheme for elite tier qualification, based on through points accrued or flights flown, whichever is quicker. Club Vistara Silver, Gold, and Platinum level members receive a host of benefits like additional baggage allowance, priority check-in and baggage handling, priority boarding, complimentary upgrade vouchers and vouchers for guest lounge access, and no-fee rescheduling, depending on their tier status.
“In response to the evolving needs of our frequent fliers, we have enhanced our programme and introduced new features that are relevant and important to them,” said Yeoh.
Club Vistara’s new tier qualification criteria will be applied retrospectively to its existing members’ accounts, which will result in automatic tier level upgrades for many members, the airline said, adding that it is also offering all existing CV members an exclusive limited period 50 per cent discount for redeeming award flights and upgrades in all classes, as a mark of gratitude for their loyalty.
Vistara’s Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer Sanjiv Kapoor said elite-level benefits can be enjoyed by customers regardless of class of travel or fare paid under the new programme.