ETW Staff – Mumbai
Vistara has announced that it has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320-200 single aisle aircraft with Sharklets. With this acquisition, Vistara aims to offer its customers the best-in-class in-flight ambience, safety and cabin comfort while driving operational efficiencies. The brand new aircraft is the first of 20 A320 family aircraft to be leased from BOC Aviation, aircraft operating lessor.
Phee Teik Yeoh, CEO, Vistara, said, “We are excited to receive the delivery of our first aircraft. The selection of the modern Airbus A320 family aircraft is part of our strategy to offer the best service to our customers. The proven and reliable quality of Airbus meets our stringent standards for safety, cabin comfort, fuel efficiency and overall operational reliability. We are pleased to partner BOC Aviation, which has demonstrated professionalism and superior customer service in leasing our fleet and ensuring a timely launch.”
The A320 incorporates advanced technologies that include extensive use of weight-saving composites and a centralised fault display for easier troubleshooting and lower maintenance costs, along with Airbus’ fly-by-wire flight controls. The A320 aircraft with the new ‘Sharklets’ large wingtip devices reduce fuel burn by four per cent and increase payload-range performance of the A320 family by 100nm. This corresponds to an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of around 900 tonnes per aircraft.
Vistara has also signed a comprehensive maintenance agreement ‘Flight Hour Services Tailored Support Package’ (FHS-TSP) with Airbus, which is a first of its kind for any airline in India. John Leahy, chief operating officer – customers, Airbus, said, “I’m delighted that Vistara and BOC Aviation have chosen the A320 family. The Vistara brand shows huge promise coming from a strong lineage of Tata and Singapore Airlines. We take pride in our association with Vistara, which I believe will further enhance Airbus’ presence in the Indian market.”
Robert Martin, managing director and chief executive officer, BOC Aviation, said, “We have a long and successful relationship with Singapore Airlines dating back to our establishment in 1993, and we are happy to partner with Vistara, their joint venture with Tata Group in India. We wish the new airline well and look forward to their expansion in India. This is the largest leasing agreement in our history, and underscores our confidence in both Vistara and the Indian market.”
With this first acquisition, Vistara plans to increase its fleet to 20 aircraft, including A320neos, by the end of the fourth year of operation.
