Vistara named best airline in India by Skytrax

Tata-owned Vistara is the only Indian carrier in the world's top 20 airlines list for 2023 released by U.K.-based aviation rating organisation Skytrax.

IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share, was ranked the best low-cost airline in South Asia.

Singapore Airlines was voted the world's best airline at the 2023 World Airline Awards, the fifth time that the airline has scooped the title in the 23-year history of the awards. Singapore Airlines dominated the First Class travel awards, winning the awards for the World's Best First Class, the World's Best First Class Seat, the World's Best First Class Comfort Amenities and took top position as the Best Airline in Asia.

The seven times winner of the 'Airline of the Year' award, Qatar Airways, was ranked No 2 in the world for 2023, with ANA All Nippon Airways in third place, Emirates fourth, and Japan Airlines in fifth position, out of more than 325 airlines included in the survey results.

Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, cornered 9% domestic market share in May, according to data released by aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). The full-service carrier is set to merge with Air India as the Tata group looks to consolidate its airline business. Air India’s domestic market share was 9.4% last month. As part of the merger transaction, Singapore Airlines will also invest ₹2,059 crore in Air India. Post the consolidation, SIA will hold 25.1% shareholding in Air India. The transaction is estimated to be completed by March 2024.

Air India, the country’s erstwhile national carrier, was acquired by Tata Sons through its fully-owned subsidiary, Talace Pvt Ltd, in January 2022. On Tuesday, Air India firmed up its order for 250 Airbus aircraft and selected an Airbus maintenance and digital package to power the airline’s transformation and growth strategy. The aircraft order includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets. The airline had signed a Letter of Intent to acquire these aircraft in February 2023. Deliveries are set to commence with the first A350-900 before the end of 2023. The airline also finalised an order for up to 290 new Boeing jets to expand its fleet at the 2023 Paris Air Show. The order, which includes 190 737 MAXs, 20 787 Dreamliners and 10 777X jets with options for 50 737 MAXs and 20 787 Dreamliners, is Boeing's largest order in South Asia.