12 Kolkata: One out of every four flights that operates from Kolkata airport will carry the Air India brand. This includes its budget airline, Air India Express. This follows the integration of operations and merger of AI and Vistara on Tuesday.
While AI operated 26 flights on Tuesday, up from 16 the day before, AI Express operated 17. The 10 additional AI flights were the ones that Vistara Airlines had operated until Monday.
Between IndiGo Airlines, which operates two out of three planes that depart Kolkata, and the AI-AI Express combine, the two groups now control 90% of flights at Kolkata airport. The remaining 10% is operated by SpiceJet, Asaka, Alliance Air and IndiaOne Air.
There were some teething problems on the first day of joint operations, with passengers of the erstwhile Vistara Airlines complaining that reward points did not get transferred from Club Vistara to Maharaja Club. The airlines promised to resolve the issue soon.
Also, when the departure of an erstwhile Vistara flight to Bengaluru with the AI code on Tuesday was delayed by two hours, it led to some comments from flyers attributing the delay to the change in airline management. However, airline sources said it was a technical glitch that caused the delay.
Inside Kolkata airport, those manning the booking kiosk at a Vistara counter wore new AI tags. While some had changed into the AI uniform, others were still in Vistara colours and said they would shift to the new dress soon.
Inside the passenger area of the terminal, a help desk has been set up with customer support staff wearing t-shirts with both AI and Vistara written, along with a "May I Help You?" message.