Tata group to merge Vistara with Air India

Singapore Airlines to hold 25.1 % stake in merged entity

New Delhi: In a major consolidation in the Indian aviation space, Tata group on Tuesday announced the merger of Vistara with Air India, and pursuant to the deal, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India. The proposed deal is expected to be complete by March 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.

Tata group owns a 51 per cent stake in Vistara and the rest is with Singapore Airlines (SIA). In a release, SIA said Vistara and Air India would be merged, and it would also be investing Rs 2,058.5 crore in Air India as part of the transaction.

"This would give SIA a 25.1 per cent stake in an enlarged Air India group with a significant presence in all key market segments. SIA said it intends to fully fund this investment with its internal cash resources, which stood at 17.5 billion Singapore dollars as of September 30.

In a separate release, Tata group said that with the consolidation, Air India would be the country's leading domestic and international carrier with a combined fleet of 218 aircraft, "making it India's largest international carrier and second largest domestic carrier".

SIA and Tata Sons have also agreed to participate in additional capital injections, if required, to fund the growth and operations of the enlarged Air India in FY2022-23 and FY2023- 24. "Based on SIA's 25.1 per cent stake post-completion, its share of any additional capital injection could be up to Rs 50,200 million (S$ 880 million, US$ 615 million), payable only after the completion of the merger," SIA said in the release.

The actual amount will depend on factors, including the progress of the enlarged Air India's business plan, and its access to other funding options. SIA intends to fully fund any additional capital injections with its internal cash resources, it added.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said the merger of Vistara and Air India is an important milestone in the journey to make Air India a truly world-class airline. Four airlines are part of the Tata group. They are Air India, Air India Express, AirAsia India and Vistara. Vistara started flying in January 2015. AirAsia India was launched in 2014, while Air India Express began in 2005.