Mumbai: Full service airline Vistara, a joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, said it took delivery of its 20th aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, on Wednesday.
“Vistara, today, received its 20th aircraft and its seventh Airbus A320neo powered by CFM engines,” the airline said in a statement.
The aircraft, which will be soon inducted into the airline’s fleet, was leased from Bank of China Aviation. (BOC Aviation)
Vistara, which will start its international operations by the second half of calendar year 2018, plans to initially start short-haul international operations connecting south Asian destinations and other Asian destinations that are 2-4 hours away, followed by ones 3-5 hours away, chief executive Leslie Thng had said in March.
The airline will also start medium haul flights 1-2 years after starting its international operations. Indian airlines need to have at least 20 aircraft in their fleets to fly international.
In addition to its initial order of 20 aircraft, Vistara had placed an order for two more A320neo aircraft which are expected to be delivered by June 2018 and will enable the airline’s international operations.
“This is not just another addition to our fleet, but a landmark one that signals Vistara’s arrival on the global map and marks the beginning of our next phase of growth,” Leslie Thng said in the statement.
Vistara’s new aircraft comes in its unique cabin configuration of 158 seats (8 business class, 24 premium economy and 126 economy class) as well as other industry-first features that come in its A320neo, the release added.