Air India CEO Holds Talks on Vistara Merger Amid Antitrust Concerns

7 Aug 2023 , 10:09 AM

Air India Chief Executive Campbell Wilson holds talks with India’s antitrust head regarding the pending merger with Vistara.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is examining the planned merger of Air India and Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines.

CCI has raised concerns about the combined entity’s market power on international and domestic routes. The Tata Group’s market share could exceed 50% in at least seven domestic markets, causing competition concerns.

CEO Campbell Wilson and Tata Group’s General Counsel, Sidharth Sharma, recently met with India’s antitrust chief, Ravneet Kaur, to discuss the ongoing merger process.

Details of the discussions are confidential, but such meetings are typical to address concerns and find a way forward. No official comments have been provided by Air India, Tata Group, Vistara, or CCI in response to media inquiries.

Industry concerns are rising about a potential duopoly with a merged Air India-Vistara and IndiGo controlling over 75% of the domestic market. Air India is yet to respond to CCI’s concerns, and the watchdog will review submissions to decide on the merger.

Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan anticipates regulatory approvals for the Air India-Vistara merger by April 2024.

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