How Tata-SIA joint vernture Vistara fared in first 100 days of operation

MUMBAI: Vistara, Tata-Singapore Airlines' full-service carrier, hasn't had a spectacular start. In operation for over 100 days — operating 35 daily frequencies to 10 cities with six aircraft — the airline reported load factors of 53.6% during the month of March, the lowest in the industry.

The average industry load factor, not counting Vistara, came to 79%. Vistara had, on an average, filled 58.6% of its planes in February and 45.4% in January. Other airlines like Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines had better initial results — 79% and 63% load factors, respectively, in their first months. Jet Airways, of course, had just one competitor in Air India.

Vistara said its loads must be seen in the context of its three-class configuration which none of its peers offer. More than one-third of the airline's seating capacity is premium — a combination of business and premium economy. But that raises a question on its volumes in the front end of the aircraft.

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