The formal permit allows Vistara to operate scheduled commercial flights between the US and India, to ferry passengers, goods and mail
There is good news for the Indian Diaspora in the US. In a short while, flying out of India to the US and vice versa will be easy now that the Tata carrier, Vistara, has received the permission from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to start India-US operations. Incidentally, Vistara had plans to start US flights in September 2021 but that will not be possible given the short time it received after the permission.
It must also be remembered that the US has banned nationals flying in from India though there are exceptions for US citizens and their families, legal permanent residents, and students. TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA).
The foreign carrier permit from DOT was received by Vistara on August 25 although it had got a tentative approval in the beginning of June this year. Vistara had first applied for DOT’s permission to operate US flights at the end of April.
The formal permit allows Vistara to operate scheduled commercial flights between the US and India, to ferry passengers, goods and mail. In addition, the carrier will be able to fly cargo and charter flights between the US and India.
Vistara has to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and DOT regulations to retain the permission for operation between the US and India. That means it has to meet the safety and security guidelines and follow DOT regulations that govern passenger services and refunds, among others.
Vistara will be using its Boeing 787-9 aircraft (Dreamliners) for flights to US from its hubs in Delhi or Mumbai. Vistara will be able to touch San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Boston, and Washington D.C. The Indian carrier can also leverage its partnership with United.
In fact, the two carriers have a codeshare relationship that provides United additional connectivity within India. If the two airlines decide they can expand their partnership to include more of United’s network when Vistara starts flights to the US.
Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and Tripadvisor, and has also been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards. In a short span of six years since starting operations, Vistara has raised the bar for operations and service delivery in the Indian aviation industry by offering the world-class flying experience to travellers
It also has another option: with permission for fifth-freedom rights, the carrier will be able to launch operations to Dallas, Houston, Miami, and more with a stop in Europe or Canada. Experts, however, believe that Vistara will not use this option since there are airlines offering one-stop routes from India to the US.
Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and Tripadvisor, and has also been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards. In a short span of six years since starting operations, Vistara has raised the bar for operations and service delivery in the Indian aviation industry by offering the world-class flying experience to travellers.
Vistara brings together Tata’s and SIA’s legendary hospitality and renowned service excellence to offer the finest full-service flying experience in India.
Vistara commenced its commercial operations on January 9, 2015, with an aim to set new standards in the aviation industry in India and it today connects destinations across India and abroad. The airline has a fleet of 45 aircraft, including 35 Airbus A320, two Airbus A321neo, six Boeing 737-800NG, and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, and has flown more than 20 million customers since starting operations.
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