Indian media has reported that the LCC joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons, recently named Vistara, is set to miss its target of commencing operations in October because more regulatory approvals are deemed necessary by the government.
Government sources also told Indian media that the process would require a further two-to-three months. Vistara is due to take delivery of its first aircraft, an A320, later this month.
Rashmi Soni, spokeswoman for Vistara, said: “Vistara is working very closely with the regulators to ensure all requisite requirements and processes are being complied with.”
Vistara was originally set to commence scheduled flights on October 15th. The date is significant in that it will mark the 82nd anniversary of India's first mail flight between two cities - Bombay and Karachi - operated by an Indian company.
Vistara is also aiming to lease twenty A320-200s from Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation. Earlier this year, the full-service carrier stated in its application for an Air Operator's Permit to the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that it would serve Mumbai Int'l, Goa, Hyderabad Int'l, Ahmedabad, Srinagar, Jammu, Patna and Chandigarh from its Delhi Int'l hub initially.