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Singapore Airlines will make an additional investment of Rs 3,194.5 crore in Tata Group-owned Air India post-merger of Vistara in November. The merger, announced on November 29, 2022, and set to be completed on November 11, 2024, will result in Singapore Airlines having a 25.1% stake in the enlarged Air India. Full-service carrier Vistara, which started flying on January 9, 2015, is a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines, where the latter holds a 49% shareholding. Vistara's last flight will take off tomorrow i.e. November 11, 2024. Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group on Friday said its consideration for the merger comprises the 49% interest in Vistara and Rs 20,585 million (Rs 2,058.5 crore) in cash in exchange for a 25.1% equity interest in the enlarged Air India. Post-merger, SIA expects to recognize a non-cash accounting gain of around 1.1 billion Singapore dollars and also start equity accounting for its share of Air India's financial results. According to a release on Friday, the merger includes an agreement for SIA to contribute its share of any funding previously provided by Tata prior to the completion of the merger, together with relevant funding costs up to Rs 5,020 crore that would allow it to maintain a 25.1% stake in Air India. "SIA's additional capital injection is expected to be Rs 31,945 million (equivalent to SGD 498 million), based on Tata's funding to Air India to date. This will occur after the completion of the merger and within November 2024 through subscription to new Air India shares. "Future capital injections will be considered based on Air India's requirements and available funding options," according to the release issued while announcing the airline's financial performance for the six months ended September 2024. The merger of Vistara with Air India will mark a major consolidation in the fast-growing Indian aviation space. SIA said the merged entity will have a significant presence across all key Indian air travel segments, including domestic, international, full-service, and low-cost operations. "This will strengthen SIA's multi-hub strategy, allowing it to continue participating directly in India's large and fast-growing aviation market," it added. Recently, Air India and SIA agreed to significantly expand their codeshare agreement, adding 11 Indian cities and another 40 international destinations to their network.

Singapore Airlines to invest additional Rs 3,195 cr in Air India post-Vistara merger

Gurugram: <keyword id="22345435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TATA-SIA-Airlines-Limited" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="TATA SIA Airlines Limited" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="TATA SIA Airlines Limited">TATA SIA Airlines Limited</keyword>, known by the brand name of <keyword id="20018887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vistara" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Vistara" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Vistara">Vistara</keyword> announced its merger with <keyword id="19896871" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Air India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Air India">Air India</keyword> on Friday. The company said in a statement that customers will not be able to make <keyword id="19916663" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bookings" source="keywords">bookings</keyword> with Vistara for travel on or after November 12. "Starting 03 September 2024, customers will, progressively, no longer be able to make bookings with Vistara for travel on or after 12 November 2024," the company said. However, Vistara will continue to take bookings and operate flights as usual till 11 November 2024. All Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India and bookings for the routes operated by these aircraft will be redirected to Air India's website, the company informed. During this transition period, both Vistara and Air India will ensure necessary support, consistent communication, and convenience to all customers, every step of the way. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, "We are immensely grateful to all our customers for their support and patronage over the last 10 years. As we progress further in our growth journey, we want to emphasize that this merger is about offering them more choice with a larger fleet and a wider network, while elevating the overall travel experience. Vistara and Air India are committed to ensuring that this transition is smooth and hassle-free. We are excited about this new phase in our journey and look forward to welcoming our customers again soon - as Air India." Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer &amp; Managing Director, Air India, said, "Cross-functional teams from Air India and Vistara have been working together for many months to make the transition of aircraft, flying crew, ground-based colleagues and, most importantly, our valued customers, into the new Air India as seamless as possible. The joint team looks forward to offering our guests an expanded network, additional flight options, an enhanced frequent flyer program and the best of both antecedent airlines and are grateful for the support of our loyal customers through this next phase of building a world class, world scale, global airline with an Indian heart." On August 10, Both companies secured the CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement) 145 approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (<keyword id="19899185" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dgca" source="keywords">DGCA</keyword>) to integrate their aircraft line maintenance operations, as per an official release.

Vistara-Air India merger: Bookings for Vistara to stop from Sept 3, unified operations start from Nov 12

Singapore: <keyword id="20036942" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Singapore-Airlines" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Singapore Airlines" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Singapore Airlines">Singapore Airlines</keyword> on Friday said it has received approval from the Indian government for the foreign direct investment as part of the proposed merger of <keyword id="20018887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vistara" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Vistara" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Vistara">Vistara</keyword> with <keyword id="19896871" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Air India" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Air India">Air India</keyword>, a deal that will create one of the world's largest airline groups. With the clearance in place, the merger that will see Singapore Airlines acquiring a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The proposed merger was announced in November 2022. Air India is owned by <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword> and Vistara is a 51:49 joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines. In a regulatory filing on Friday, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it has received approval from the Government of India for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the enlarged Air India as part of the proposed merger. "The FDI approval, together with anti-trust and merger control clearances and approvals, as well as other governmental and <keyword id="19941849" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="regulatory-approvals" source="keywords">regulatory approvals</keyword> received to-date, represent a significant development towards the completion of the proposed merger," the airline said in the filing to the Singapore Stock Exchange. The airline also said the completion of the merger continues to be subject to compliance by the parties with applicable Indian laws, which is currently expected to be completed in the next few months. "At this juncture, completion of the proposed merger is anticipated to occur by the end of 2024," it added. According to Singapore Airlines, the parties are in discussions to extend the long stop date for the completion of the merger. Earlier, it was expected to be October 31, 2024. The merger, which will create one of the biggest airline groups, was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in June. In March, Singapore's competition regulator CCCS gave a conditional nod for the proposed deal. Prior to that in September 2023, the deal received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), subject to certain conditions. "SIA will make the necessary announcement(s) upon completion of the proposed merger or in the event that there are other significant developments," the filing said on Friday.

Singapore Airlines gets FDI nod from Indian govt for Vistara-Air India merger

<keyword id="20018887" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vistara" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Vistara" meta.hostid="346" meta.entityid="Vistara">Vistara</keyword> will operate the last flight under its brand on November 11 and the full-service carrier's operations will be unified with <keyword id="19896871" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Air India" meta.hostid="346" meta.entityid="Air India">Air India</keyword> from November 12. The government has given its nod for the foreign direct investment by <keyword id="20036942" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore-Airlines" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Singapore Airlines" meta.hostid="346" meta.entityid="Singapore Airlines">Singapore Airlines</keyword> as part of the Air India-Vistara <keyword id="20035800" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="merger" source="keywords">merger</keyword>. Vistara is a joint venture between <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="346" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword> and Singapore Airlines. Air India is owned by Tata Group. "Starting 03 September 2024, customers will, progressively, no longer be able to make bookings with Vistara for travel on or after 12 November 2024," Vistara said in a release on Friday. Thereafter, Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India and bookings for the routes operated by these planes will be redirected to Air India's website. "Vistara will continue to take bookings and operate flights as usual till 11 November 2024," the release said. The merger of Vistara with Air India was announced in November 2022 and post-completion of the deal, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India. Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan said the merger is about offering passengers more choice with a larger fleet and a wider network while elevating the overall travel experience. "Cross-functional teams from Air India and Vistara have been working together for many months to make the transition of aircraft, flying crew, ground-based colleagues and, most importantly, our valued customers, into the new Air India as seamless as possible," Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said. In a separate release, Air India welcomed the Union Cabinet's approval for the foreign direct investment by Singapore Airlines in the airline. "This is an important milestone that facilitates the merger process between Vistara and Air India, and the broader transformation of the Air India Group," it said.

Vistara to operate last flight under its brand on November 11

<keyword id="19923231" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-India-Express" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Air India Express" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Air India Express">Air India Express</keyword>, part of the <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword>, is set to reconfigure its aircraft starting in April 2025 and will be focusing solely on <keyword id="23932064" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economy-class-seating" source="keywords">economy class seating</keyword>, a PTI report says. This follows the merger of AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with Air India Express on October 1, marking a major step in Tata’s broader consolidation of its airline operations. Currently operating a fleet of 90 aircraft, including Boeing 737s and A320s, Air India Express has plans to expand its reach, particularly to smaller cities and towns. The airline aims to simplify its fleet by eliminating <keyword id="21350335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-class" source="keywords">business class</keyword> seats, opting instead for a uniform economy layout across its narrow-body planes. The decision comes as the airline faces supply chain challenges that have delayed the delivery of new aircraft. To bridge the gap, it has already inducted 35 white-tail Boeing 737-8 planes, with plans to add 15 more in the coming months. White-tail aircraft are planes originally manufactured for other carriers and later repurposed by Air India Express. These planes, often with varying business class configurations, will be reconfigured to fit the airline’s new model. The PTI report adds that by eliminating business class, the airline aims to better serve its core market—connecting <keyword id="20567886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tier-2-and-Tier-3-cities" source="keywords">Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities</keyword> with major metropolitan hubs, while expanding its international network. In addition to strengthening its domestic routes, Air India Express plans to focus on regional international flights, particularly to destinations in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and eventually South Asia. Air India Express’ network strategy is closely aligned with that of the larger Tata Group’s airline portfolio, which includes Air India, Vistara, and the recently merged AIX Connect. As part of this consolidation, Air India Express aims to meet growing demand for affordable travel between smaller towns and metros, a market segment identified as a key growth area. The move towards an economy-only fleet reflects broader industry trends, with many <keyword id="20314404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="low-cost-carriers" source="keywords">low-cost carriers</keyword> focusing on streamlining operations to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Air India Express plans to increase its fleet to over 110 aircraft by the end of the financial year, with further additions expected in the future. (with PTI inputs)

Air India Express to bid adieu to business class seats next year, will turn into economy only airlines

<keyword id="6368386" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="singapore-airlines" source="Orion">Singapore Airlines</keyword> on Thursday said it is in confidential discussions with <keyword id="6360721" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="tatas" source="Orion">Tatas</keyword> for a possible merger of <keyword id="2467342" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="vistara" source="Orion">Vistara</keyword> and <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword>. Tatas has 51 per cent stake in Vistara and the rest is with Singapore Airlines (SIA). Tatas is also the owner of Air India. In a regulatory filing, SIA said discussions with Tatas are ongoing and no definitive terms have been agreed upon between the parties. "In line with its multi-hub strategy, SIA is currently in confidential discussions with <keyword id="8555" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tata" source="Orion">Tata</keyword> to explore a potential transaction in relation to the securities of Vistara and Air India Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata (the 'potential transaction'). "The discussions seek to deepen the existing partnership between SIA and Tata, and may include a potential integration of Vistara and Air India," the filing to the Singapore Stock Exchange said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/39-of-mgnrega-job-card-holders-didnt-get-a-single-day-of-work-in-2020-21-says-study/articleshow/94837158.cms">39% of MGNREGA job card holders didn’t get a single day of work in 2020-21 says study</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/yeida-cancels-allotment-of-14-group-housing-projects-due-to-non-payment-of-dues/articleshow/94832924.cms">YEIDA cancels allotment of 14 group housing projects due to non-payment of dues</a>

Discussions on with Tatas for possible merger of Vistara, Air India: Singapore Airlines

When the <keyword id="1700843" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singapore-airlines-group" source="Orion">Singapore Airlines Group</keyword> (SIA) released its operating statistics for December 2022, it revealed that it carried almost 12 per cent more passengers compared with a month ago and four times more than a year ago. Its two carriers, SIA and Scoot, carried a total of 2.7 million passengers in December. For the entire year, it carried a total of 20.7 million passengers, a jump of 900 per cent from 2021. The airline cited the relaxation of travel restrictions in Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan for boosting the demand for air travel and supporting a recovery in those markets. Though impressive, the passenger numbers are still 76 per cent of December 2019's figure of 3.54 million passengers carried. SIA's passenger load factor (PLF) in December 2022 came in at 89.7 per cent during the month -- 3.8 percentage points more compared with a month ago and 43.2 per centage points more year-on-year. The airline noted that this is the highest monthly PLF in the SIA's history, full-service carrier, SIA, and low-cost airline, Scoot posted record monthly PLFs of 89.1 per cent and 91.6 per cent respectively. PLF for December 2019 was 87.6 per cent. However, it should be noted that PLF is a function of the number of planes an airline has in service. During this period where there's a global shortage of capacity, some <keyword id="44023" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airlines" source="Orion">airlines</keyword> under utilise their planes either to keep airfares high or because they do not have enough resources to maximize the use of their fleet. According to fleet data from ch-aviation.com, at the moment, SIA has 36 inactive aircraft between its two main airline brands. Among the aircraft sitting on the ground are 15 Boeing 777ERs, two Airbus A350s, two A380s, and two 787-8s. With increasing competition in the coming year and with China's reopening from COVID-19 lockdowns, airlines in Northeast Asia are expected to put more capacity in the air which would result in supply putting pressure on prices. SIA is expected to do the same to contend for market share. Already in December, Scoot resumed flights to Zhengzhou, China in December 2022, while SIA restarted fortnightly passenger services from Singapore to Beijing on 30 December 2022. While the China market is still slowly recovering, SIA has been expanding its capacity in India, an important market, since the middle of last year. SIA has already resumed flights to the following South Asian cities at frequencies matching or exceeding pre-C levels: Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dubai, Hyderabad, Kathmandu, Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. To underline the strategic importance of the Indian market to SIA, it made a commitment to continue to invest in the market late last year. On November 29, the airline announced that it will be converting its 49 per cent stake in Vistara into a 20 per cent stake in the new <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> Group, with the additional USD250 million used to acquire another 5 per cent. SIA has also agreed to inject up to another USD615 million after the merger is completed, (expected by March 2024), should the new airline group require additional funds from its shareholders to fund its restructuring and expansion. 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. The airline said in a statement, "Through this transaction, SIA will reinforce its partnership with Tata and immediately acquire a strategic stake in an entity that is four to five times larger in scale compared to Vistara. The merger would bolster SIA's presence in India, strengthen its multi-hub strategy, and allow it to continue participating directly in a large and fast-growing aviation market." When Tata Sons agreed to buy Air India, the acquisition was completed a year ago on January 27, Tata was expected to consolidate its airline assets which meant it was likely to merge Vistara with Air India. SIA could have stepped away from its investment in the Indian market and sold its 49 per cent stake in Vistara. However, it decided to take a minority stake in a larger airline, and here are some of the possible reasons. First of all, the new Air India Group will be a much bigger player in the Indian aviation market. Its four airlines will have a 26 per cent market share based on domestic seat capacity and 21 per cent of international seat capacity in the current quarter, based on OAG data. India as a market and a source of travelers is of strategic importance to both SIA as well as Singapore overall. SIA will in time be able to increase its connectivity to Indian destinations as well as serve Indian passengers on international routes using Changi Airport as a transit point. This could open up attractive destinations in other parts of Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, North Asia, and the west coast of America to Indian passengers. With the massive Terminal 5 in Changi opening in the middle of the next decade, any additional passenger churn will be vital to ensure the airport expansion fulfills its promise. India is among the top three aviation markets in the world and poised to double passenger traffic over the next 10 years supported by rising income levels and ongoing investments in its aviation infrastructure. It is projected to exceed 300 million airline passengers by 2027. However, India also remains underserved with low international seats per capita, signifying significant growth potential. Another factor that SIA would have considered is that the CEO of the new Air India group is a trusted 25-year veteran of the company before he joined the Indian airline in the middle of last year. Campbell Wilson, a New Zealander, was previously chief executive of Scoot and rotated through various roles at SIA in countries like Japan, Canada, and Hong Kong, and was senior vice president of sales and marketing for SIA. As quoted by Fortune, he said in a letter to employees on the one-year anniversary of the completion of Tata's takeover of Air India, "Taken together, the progress over the last 12 months has been nothing short of stunning, even if so much of what we have been working on has been behind the scenes, building platforms and capabilities so that our future ambitions can take flight. There is of course much more that needs to be done, and everyone internally and externally - is hungry for us to do it." SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/hindenburg-ignores-indian-legal-processes-adani-group-on-the-firms-allegations/articleshow/97431153.cms">Hindenburg ignores Indian legal processes: Adani Group on the firm's allegations</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/finance-ministry-to-stick-to-privatisation-of-already-announced-cpses-next-fiscal/articleshow/97412473.cms">Finance Ministry to stick to privatisation of already announced CPSEs next fiscal</a>

Why Singapore Airlines is investing in Air India?

<ul><li>For the financial year ending March 2023, the <keyword id="6359180" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sia" source="Orion">SIA</keyword> Group posted a record net profit of SGD 2,157 million (USD 1,598 million) for the year.</li><li>SIA's revenue rose 133.4 per cent or by SGD 10,160 million (USD 7,526 million) year-on-year to a record SGD 17,775 million (USD 13,167 million). </li></ul>Singapore, May 22 (ANI): Following consecutive quarters of standout financial results, many expected Singapore Airlines (SIA) to turn in a dazzling set of numbers last week when it announced its full-year results. Singapore's national carrier did not disappoint as it reported the highest annual profit in its 76-year history. For the financial year ending March 2023, the SIA Group posted a record net profit of SGD 2,157 million (USD 1,598 million) for the year, versus an SGD 962 million (USD713 million) net loss in the previous year, an earnings gain of SGD 3,119 million (USD 2,310 million). SIA's revenue rose 133.4 per cent or by SGD 10,160 million (USD 7,526 million) year-on-year to a record SGD 17,775 million (USD 13,167 million). Although capacity was ramped up by 94 per cent, it was outpaced by traffic which rose 449.9 per cent. This led passenger flown revenue to expand by SGD 10,560 million (or 376.3 per cent) to SGD 13,366 million. Revenue per available seat-kilometre (RASK) was 10 Singapore cents, the highest yearly RASK in the carrier's history. During the financial year under review, the two airlines in the SIA group, full-service Singapore Airlines and low-cost Scoot, together served a total of 26.5 million passengers, a six-fold increase from a year ago. With capacity at only 79 per cent of pre-COVID levels as of March 2023, there is still room for the airline to do better. It said that its capacity is projected to reach an average of around 83 per cent of pre-COVID levels in the first half of the current financial year. The outstanding results is mostly because of the way SIA responded to the crisis wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline industry. As borders closed, and airlines stopped flying, SIA with the support of shareholders and its lenders managed to raise over USD16 billion of cash to shore up its balance sheet. This enabled it to retain more than 80 per cent of its staff as well as keep most of its aircraft operational. Many regional competitors had to furlough or let staff go and sell aircraft and as a result, had a slower start once borders reopened again. During COVID, SIA redeployed cabin crew to other sectors including as "care ambassadors" in healthcare facilities and as "transport ambassadors" to help manage safe practices on public transport. The carrier also took the opportunity to upgrade some of its cabins and also merged regional carrier <keyword id="676010" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="silkair" source="Orion">Silkair</keyword> with its main full-carrier Singapore Airlines to save costs. Digital services were also upgraded and a lifestyle rewards app Kris+ was launched. As borders reported, SIA rapidly deployed services to meet the pent-up travel demand charging above-average fares as regional competitors played catch-up. At the moment, SIA is operating at over 80 per cent of its pre-COVID levels whereas the average passenger capacity of international scheduled services of Asia-Pacific airlines is at around 58 per cent. To prepare for the future, SIA is looking into several strategic initiatives including the continued expansion of its network through deeper collaboration with like-minded airlines. One of these initiatives is the proposed merger of <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> and Vistara to strengthen SIA's presence in the fast-growing Indian aviation market. Through its ownership of Vistara and a further injection of USD 250 million in November last year, Singapore Airlines will be a 25.1 per cent owner of Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> once the merger is approved by the Indian authorities. When Tata Sons appointed Singapore Airlines (SIA) veteran <keyword id="5863894" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="campbell-wilson" source="Orion">Campbell Wilson</keyword> as chief executive officer in the middle of last year, it was probably with a view to trying to mirror the success of SIA at the newly acquired Air India. Wilson, a New Zealander, spent 25 years at SIA rotating through various roles including chief executive of Scoot, senior vice president of sales and marketing and worked for the airline in countries like Japan, Canada, and Hong Kong. If investments committed to the new Air India are an indication, Tata is on the right track to turning Air India around to become a more modern airline, with a better on-time record, better in-flight service, better cabin environment and an all-around better customer experience. The new owners have committed USD 70 billion to aircraft, USD 200 million to IT, and USD 400 million to refit the existing fleet. In February this year, it made the largest single order for new aircraft worldwide by buying 470 planes from both Boeing and Airbus. To support the growth, the airline has recruited thousands of staff, including 10 times the number of cabin crew and 10 times the number of pilots that would have been typically recruited each year. Following years of under-investment, and lack of recruitment and training, it has already made good progress in less than a year according to Wilson. Speaking to Australian aviation blogger <keyword id="8281779" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sam-chui" source="Orion">Sam Chui</keyword>, he said, "We've changed all the menus. We've replaced seats, curtains, carpets, and seat cushions. We've repaired a lot of the inflight entertainment systems, particularly in first and business class that weren't previously working. We are making good progress in economy class despite supply chain constraints." Recently, the carrier also attained the number one ranking for domestic punctuality for the first time in eight years and has consistently been amongst the top two or three in India. "The biggest challenge for us at the moment is simply the scale and pace of growth. It is a sizable airline. We carry over 100,000 people a day already," he added. Although the impact of the changes will only be felt over time, Air India's CEO is confident that the changes he has implemented will bear fruit and lead the airline back to being a premium global carrier eventually. CEO Wilson said, "Air India was in the 1960s, one of the best airlines in the world. It's got a long 90-year history. The past few years have been a bit challenging with under-investment. But now under the Tata group, which took ownership in January of 2022, there is a very significant effort to get Air India back to the heights it once was." (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/is-whatsapp-secretly-listening-to-your-private-conversations-heres-how-to-check/articleshow/100155980.cms">Is WhatsApp secretly listening to your private conversations? Here’s how to check</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-pixel-6a-vs-pixel-7a-smartphone-comparison-with-price-and-features/articleshow/100177889.cms">Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 7a: Is Google's latest mid-ranger worth the extra ₹12,000?</a>

Can Air India emulate Singapore Airlines' record profits?

<keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> Airlines' deal with Tata Sons (Tata) will inject a further <keyword id="366395" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sgd" source="Orion">SGD</keyword> 360 million (USD 267 million) into Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. It will give <keyword id="6359180" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sia" source="Orion">SIA</keyword> a 25.1 per cent stake in the enlarged Air India group following its takeover by Tata and merger with <keyword id="2468721" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vistara-airlines" source="Orion">Vistara Airlines</keyword>. The November 2022 deal between Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons to further inject USD 267 million into Air India is one of the key strategic initiatives for future growth mentioned in the quarterly financial report. This agreement is still subject to regulatory approval. SIA in the statement said, "The merged entity will be four to five times larger in scale compared to <keyword id="2467342" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vistara" source="Orion">Vistara</keyword>, with a strong presence in all key airline segments in India. The proposed merger will bolster SIA's presence in India, strengthen its multi-hub strategy, and allow it to continue participating directly in this large and fast-growing aviation market." The airline further said, "Deeper collaboration with like-minded airlines is an integral part of the SIA Group's partnerships strategy. This enables SIA and its partners to drive more traffic to their hubs, offer more options to customers, and increase the Group's global footprint." Last week, Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that net profit for Q3 which ended in December, came in at Singapore dollar (SGD) 628 million (USD 465 million) and financial year-to-date profits touched SGD 1,555 million (USD 1,152 million). They are the highest the airline has ever earned in a quarter as well as for the first nine months of a financial year. The airlines said in a statement that this is due to "the robust demand for air travel continuing into the third quarter of FY2022/23, building on the momentum that began after Singapore relaxed its border restrictions in April 2022." SIA financial year starts in April. This comes on the back of Singapore's announcement that from February 13, it will relax all remaining Covid restrictions for travellers as well as locals. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated against Covid will no longer need to show proof of a negative pre-departure test before entering Singapore and do not need to buy travel insurance to cover Covid treatment if they fall ill on the island. Those who are vaccinated no longer need to show proof on arrival. The use of a face mask on public transport which was the last remaining local Covid-era protocol is no longer mandatory as of the same date. Singapore was one of the first Asian countries to reopen after the Covid pandemic and that has aided its tourism industry along with its national carrier. Besides government grants to affected industries during Covid, the airline was the beneficiary of its shareholders and financial institutions' confidence in its business as it managed to raise SGD 22.4 billion (USD 16.6 billion) during Covid including SGD 15 billion from shareholders (largest of which is state investment firm Temasek Holdings) through sales of shares and convertible bonds. As of December 2022, it still holds a cash balance of SGD 15.4 billion. This allowed it to keep most of its staff and fleet and facilitated restoration of routes quickly once travel resumed. This was unlike other regional airlines which had to let staff go and sell aircraft to keep afloat.SIA reported that its group passenger capacity reached 80 per cent of pre-Covid levels in December 2022, higher than the average of 51 per cent for the Asia-Pacific region. Its two main airline brands carried 7.4 million passengers in the third quarter, up 17 per cent from the second quarter. When added to the first two quarters, the SIA Group served 18.8 million passengers for the first nine months of the financial year. This is a nine-fold increase from a year earlier (2021) when most of the world's borders were still closed. Passenger load factors for the Group improved by 0.8 percentage points to 87.4 per cent, the highest for any quarter, on the back of record load factors for both premium airline, SIA (87.3 per cent) and low-cost carrier, Scoot (87.8 per cent). SIA reported that its cargo performance moderated compared to the previous quarter due to softening demand, as well as an increase in belly hold capacity as more passenger aircraft returned to service globally. While yields were weaker quarter-on-quarter, they remained elevated -- almost double -- compared to pre-Covid levels. Overall, SIA's revenue for the three months to December rose SGD 358 million (USD 265 million), an 8 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase to SGD 4,846 million (USD 3,589 million), a record. Passenger-flown revenue increased by 14 per cent or SGD 463 million to SGD 3,767 million as traffic grew 12.2 per cent for the quarter, outpacing the 11.1 per cent expansion in capacity. Revenue per available seat-kilometre (RASK) was 10.6 Singapore cents, the highest quarterly RASK in the Group's history. Cargo flown revenue fell 14.1 per cent or SGD 141 million (USD 104 million) to SGD 862 million (USD638 million), with the lower yields which were down 14.6 per cent partially mitigated by a slight uptick in loads, up 0.6 per cent. Expenditure increased 7.4 per cent or SGD281 million (USD208 million) quarter-on-quarter to SGD 4,091 million (USD 3,030 million). This comprised an SGD 371 million (15.5 per cent) rise in non-fuel expenditure that was partly offset by an SGD 90 million decrease (-6.3 per cent) in net fuel cost. The increase in non-fuel expenditure was higher than the increase in capacity, mainly driven by higher foreign exchange losses of SGD 194 million (USD 144 million) recorded at the end of the current quarter with the US dollar weakening 6.1 per cent against the Singapore dollar. Net fuel cost fell to SGD 1,333 million (USD 987 million) mainly due to a 13 per cent drop in fuel prices. This was partly offset by higher volumes uplifted (+USD 103 million) and lower fuel hedging gain (+USD 19 million). SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/passenger-vehicles-to-continue-driving-auto-sales-in-february-evs-gain-a-stronghold/articleshow/98272857.cms">Passenger vehicles to continue driving auto sales in February, EVs gain a stronghold</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/spicejet-to-raise-2500-crore-fresh-capital-convert-carlyles-debt-into-equity-and-demerge-cargo-biz/articleshow/98270557.cms">SpiceJet to raise ₹2,500 crore fresh capital, convert Carlyle’s debt into equity and demerge cargo biz</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/stock-price-run-up-in-paytm-nykaa-zomato-pb-fintech-delhivery-could-see-large-shareholders-cashing-out-bofa/articleshow/98274102.cms">Stock price run up in Paytm, Nykaa, Zomato, PB Fintech &amp; Delhivery could see large shareholders cashing out - BofA</a>

Singapore Airlines to get 25.1% stake in enlarged Air India group

<ul><li><keyword id="2467342" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vistara" source="Orion">Vistara</keyword> to merge with <keyword id="8555" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tata" source="Orion">Tata</keyword> group-owned <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword>.</li><li>Tata group owns a 51 per cent stake in Vistara while <keyword id="6368386" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="singapore-airlines" source="Orion">Singapore Airlines</keyword> owns the remaining 49 per cent.</li><li>Singapore Airlines will also invest ₹2,058.5 crores in Air India giving it a 25.1 per cent stake in the Air India group.</li></ul>Singapore Airlines on Tuesday said Vistara will be merged with Tata group-owned Air India. Tata group owns a 51 per cent stake in Vistara, and the remaining 49 per cent shareholding is with Singapore Airlines (<keyword id="6359180" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sia" source="Orion">SIA</keyword>). As part of the transaction, SIA will also invest ₹2,058.5 crores in Air India. "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 and Tata aim to complete the merger by March 2024, subject to regulatory approvals," SIA said in a release. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/mixed-demand-trends-for-autos-in-november-as-festive-boost-wears-off-but-signs-of-rural-recovery-visible/articleshow/95848505.cms">Mixed demand trends for autos in November as festive boost wears off but signs of rural recovery visible</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/icici-bank-launches-digital-lending-solution-ilens-powered-by-tcs/articleshow/95849140.cms">ICICI Bank launches digital lending solution iLens, powered by TCS</a>

Vistara will merge with Tata group-owned Air India: Singapore Airlines

<keyword id="6378232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India-Express" source="Orion">Air India Express</keyword> has cancelled "scores of flights" due to a shortage of cabin crew members as a section of them are reporting sick to protest against alleged mismanagement at the Tata Group-owned airline, according to sources. Discontent has been brewing among a section of the cabin crew at the low-cost carrier for some time now, especially after the start of the process of merger of AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India, with itself. The sources on Wednesday said several cabin crew members started reporting sick since Monday evening and as there are not enough cabin crew members, "scores of flights" have been cancelled at various airports, including Kochi, Calicut and Bangalore. Late last month, a union representing a section of the Air India Express cabin crew alleged that the airline is being mismanaged and there is a lack of equality in the treatment of the staff. Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), a registered union, which claims to represent around 300 cabin crew members, mostly seniors, had also alleged that mismanagement of the affairs has affected the morale of the employees. Many passengers took to social media on Wednesday complaining about the sudden cancellation of flights. In response to a passenger's post on X about flight cancellation, Air India Express apologised and said the flight was cancelled "due to operational reasons". "As part of our service recovery process, you can either opt to reschedule the flight within the next 7 days or request a full refund through our chat bot Tia...," the airline said in a post on X. The development at Air India Express comes a month after <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword> full-service carrier Vistara witnessed pilot woes, forcing it to temporarily cut down capacity by 10 per cent or 25-30 flights daily. As part of consolidating its airline business, Tata Group is merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank">Aadhar Housing Finance IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank">Top-selling cars in India in April 2024 – Tata Punch continues to dominate</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank">Worldwide tablet shipments grow in Q1 2024 after two years of decline</a>

Air India Express cancels flights due to cabin crew shortage: Sources

<keyword id="19895282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai" source="keywords">Mumbai</keyword>, Low-cost carrier <keyword id="19923231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india-express" source="keywords">Air India Express</keyword> is looking to operate 40 per cent more flights next fiscal on the back of fleet expansion, sources said on Wednesday. At the same time, the airline will focus more on consolidating on the domestic routes and will not be adding many destinations, while the international network may see some marginal increase, said the sources aware of the development. Air India Express currently operates 350 daily flights and has a fleet of 69 planes. It has some 1,300 pilots, including 400 of <keyword id="20436831" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airasia-india" source="keywords">AirAsia India</keyword>, and another 400 on training. Air India Express will commence flights to Nepal, Bangladesh and <keyword id="19931726" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka" source="keywords">Sri Lanka</keyword> during the forthcoming summer schedule, as per the sources. They also said that Air India Express will complete acquisition of its 50 white tail <keyword id="19915275" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="boeing" source="keywords">Boeing</keyword> 737 Max plane order by December this year, of which it has already inducted 13-14 planes. The sources also said the airline is expected to complete the merger of AirAsia India with it by the second quarter of the next fiscal. Air India Express is expecting all of AirAsia India's fleet to come on its air operator permit by July-August this year when the merger gets completed. As of now, it has three A320 neo planes of Airasia India fleet on its air operator permit.

Air India Express looking to operate 40% more flights next fiscal

<keyword id="8555" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata" source="Orion">Tata</keyword> Group’s takeover of loss-making national carrier <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> is most likely delayed by a month till January as the completion of procedures taking longer than expected, an official said on Monday. In October, the government accepted the highest bid made by a Tata Sons company for 100 per cent equity shares of Air India and Air India Express along with its 50 per cent stake in ground-handling company AISATS — the first privatisation in 20 years. At that time, the government had stated that it wanted to complete the transactions, which included Tatas paying Rs 2,700 crore in cash, by December end. As per the conditions in SPA, all formalities of handover would have to be completed within 8 weeks, but this date can be mutually extended by the buyer and seller and is being done in this case. However, some regulatory approvals are yet to come in for the handover, and certain formalities are yet to be completed, the official, who wished not to be named, told PTI. “The process would be completed by January,” he said without giving a specific date. On October 25, the government had signed the share purchase agreement with Tata Sons for the sale of national carrier Air India for Rs 18,000 crore. Tata’s would pay Rs 2,700 crore cash and takeover Rs 15,300 crore of the airline’s debt. The cash component would come once the handover process is completed, another official explained. Tatas beat the Rs 15,100-crore offer by a consortium led by SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh and the reserve price of Rs 12,906 crore set by the government for the sale of its 100 per cent stake in the loss-making carrier. As of August 31, Air India had a total debt of Rs 61,562 crore. 75 per cent of this debt or Rs 46,262 crore will be transferred to a special purpose vehicle AIAHL before handing over the loss-making airline to Tata Group. Tatas will not get to retain non-core assets, such as the Vasant Vihar Housing colony of Air India, Air India Building at Nariman Point, Mumbai, and Air India Building in New Delhi. Of the 141 Air India aircraft that Tatas will get, 42 are leased planes, while the remaining 99 are owned. While this will be the first privatisation since 2003-04, Air India will be the third airline brand in the Tatas’ stable – it holds a majority interest in AirAsia India and Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines Ltd. Tata’s acquisition of Air India will give it access to a fleet of 117 wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, and Air India Express Ltd another 24 narrow-body aircraft besides control of 4,400 domestic and 1,800 international landing, and parking slots at domestic airports. Air India started suffering losses every year since its merger with Indian Airlines in 2007-08. A Turnaround Plan (TAP) and a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) were approved for Air India by the previous UPA regime in 2012. However, the TAP did not work out, and Air India continued to reel under losses, with the government giving Rs 20 crore per day to keep the airline afloat. Over the last decade, more than Rs 1.10 lakh crore was infused by way of cash support and loan guarantees in the loss-making airline to keep it afloat. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbl-bank-depositors-need-not-worry-assures-rbi/articleshow/88520325.cms">RBL Bank depositors need not worry, assures RBI</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-reportedly-hires-metas-communications-lead-for-its-augmented-reality-products/articleshow/88516091.cms">Apple reportedly hires Meta's AR communications lead for marketing of its unannounced AR/VR headset</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/rbl-bank-slumps-15-after-ceo-goes-on-leave-big-investors-are-eyeing-a-piece-of-the-pie/articleshow/88515146.cms">RBL Bank slumps 20% after CEO goes on leave</a>

Air India handover to Tata Group delayed further

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11929276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="united-airlines" source="Orion">United Airlines</keyword> will fly eight of the 10 longest routes that US <keyword id="11898285" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="airlines" source="Orion">airlines</keyword> plan to offer in 2022. </li><li>Destinations in Australia, Singapore, and India will see new and returning United service. </li></ul>United Airlines is on a mission for 2022 to establish itself as the dominant US long-haul carrier. Global borders are reopening and US carriers are focused on expansion. The new year will see US airlines fly to distant destinations once again including new and returning destinations in Singapore, Australia, India, and more. United, however, wants to be the carrier to take travelers to more of those destinations and plans to fly its aircraft further than its competition. The strategy will give travelers more non-stop options when traveling to underserved overseas destinations but is also part of United's new goal to be America's flag carrier, similar to British Airways in the UK or Air France in France but for which the US has no official designation."Frankly, we are the flag carrier of the US," Scott Kirby, United's chief executive officer, told reporters in June. "Our international long haul wide-body fleet is almost as big as all of the other US airlines' [wide-body fleets] combined. We fly to places that no one else flies." In October, United announced <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-reveals-5-new-international-destinations-3-new-routes-2021-10">five new destinations in Europe and the Middle East</a> to which no other US carriers currently fly. And out of the top 10 longest routes being flown by US airlines in 2022, eight of them will be flown by United if the pandemic and <keyword id="11896628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="travel" source="Orion">travel</keyword> restrictions allow. "Holding aside all the challenges posed by COVID and its variants, United believes that there is a decided business advantage in operating its own flights from its various US hubs to points in Europe, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere," Henry Harteveldt, travel analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, told Insider. Here's are the eight longest routes United Airlines plans to fly in 2022. <h2>Between San Francisco and Bangalore, India</h2><div type="image" title="Bangalore, India." height="664" width="885" msid="88572130" hostid="261"></div>United plans to launch a new route between San Francisco and Bangalore, India on May 26, 2022, which will be the airline's longest at just more than 7,500 nautical miles. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner-operated route aims to connect the Silicon Valley with the Silicon Valley of India and the technology companies operating in both cities. Kirby highlighted United's role in flying to India during the pandemic, a destination that it was the only US airline to serve from July 2020 through October 2021. United had planned to launch the San Francisco-Bangalore route in 2021 but it was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/united-scale-back-india-flying-delay-bangalore-launch-pandemic-rages-2021-05-07/">pushed back once COVID-19 cases started to spike</a>. Whether United will continue with the route launch given Omicron's march around the world remains to be seen. <h2>Between Houston and Sydney, Australia</h2><div type="image" title="sydney australia" height="3022" width="4029" msid="88572132" hostid="261"></div>United is planning to resume flights between Houston and Sydney, Australia on March 26, 2022, after a two-year absence during the pandemic. Similarly offered with the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the route spans a great circle route of just less than 7,500 nautical miles. The Houston route to Australia lets United offer one-stop connections from cities throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and East Coast without having to fly through California. Qantas offers a temporarily suspended but rival service from nearby Dallas in conjunction with its partner, American Airlines, prior to the pandemic. Australia's travel policies have been some of the most restrictive during the pandemic but United flights between Sydney and both Los Angeles and San Francisco have continued throughout 2021, hinting that the Houston route might resume as planned. <h2>Between San Francisco and Singapore</h2><div type="image" title="Singapore, Singapore" height="5499" width="7332" msid="88572135" hostid="261"></div>United will return to Singapore on January 22, 2022, as vaccinated foreign visitors are being welcomed into the country under a new "vaccinated travel lane" program. But whether flights resume as planned depends largely on how Omicron affects COVID-19 case levels in the next month. Singapore has suspended new ticket sales on vaccinated travel lane flights amid spikes in COVID-19 cases through January 20, 2022. United, as a result, has pushed back its relaunch date for the route from January 5, 2022, to January 19, 2022.Singapore Airlines will be United's main competition on the route; though, the two are partners in Star Alliance. United will notably offer two daily flights to Singapore starting on March 26, 2022, with the importance of the destination signified by the flight number, UA1, on one of the San Francisco to Singapore flights. United will be the only US airline to fly to Singapore. <h2>Between Newark and Hong Kong</h2><div type="image" title="hong kong" height="2397" width="3197" msid="88572138" hostid="261"></div>United plans to return to Hong Kong on March 4, 2022, with flights from San Francisco and Newark. But Hong Kong, like many Asian destinations, has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cathay-pacific-pilot-covid-quarantine-150-days-isolation-2021-12">notoriously strict COVID-19 restrictions and entry requirements</a> that may see the resumption of flights delayed beyond the scheduled relaunch date. The Newark-Hong Kong route has long been a United staple, inherited from its merger with Continental Airlines. Boeing 777-200 aircraft are used on this route that Continental first pioneered in 2001, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/30/opinion/from-newark-over-the-north-pole.html">New York Times</a> reported, just a few days before United started flying between New York City and Hong Kong. <h2>Between Newark and Johannesburg, South Africa</h2><div type="image" title="Johannesburg" height="2325" width="3100" msid="88572140" hostid="261"></div>United first launched flights to Johannesburg in June once South Africa reopened its borders to Americans. South African Airways, a United partner through Star Alliance, stopped flying between Johannesburg and New York in March 2020 and left a gap United was ready to fill with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner.The route has continued consistently during the pandemic and United continued to fly to South Africa despite new Omicron variant-related travel restrictions impacting non-US citizens and legal permanent residents throughout December. Those travel restrictions <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-administration-to-lift-southern-african-travel-restrictions-omicron-2021-12">will be lifted, however, on December 31</a>.United is one of only two airlines flying to South Africa, joining Delta Air Lines in serving Johannesburg. <h2>Between Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia</h2><div type="image" title="melbourne australia" height="3543" width="4724" msid="88572143" hostid="261"></div>United is set to return to Melbourne, Australia on March 4, 2022, after what will be a two-year absence. But the route's relaunch may depend on the Australian <a href="https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-overseas-travellers#:~:text=Resources-,Before%20you%20arrive%20in%20Victoria,Test%20negative%20for%20COVID%2D19.">state of Victoria's entry requirements</a>. International visitors are currently required to apply for an arrival permit and quarantine upon arrival until receiving a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours of arrival. Qantas will be United's primary competition and is currently flying passengers on the route while no other US airlines plan to serve Melbourne.<h2>Between San Francisco and Melbourne, Australia </h2><div type="image" title="Melbourne Australia" height="662" width="882" msid="88572147" hostid="261"></div>United similarly resume its flights between San Francisco and Melbourne on March 5, a route also put on pause in March 2020. Relaunching the route from San Francisco, as with the route from Los Angeles, will likely depend on entry requirements for foreign visitors. Qantas began operating flights on the route in September 2018 and will be United's only competition on the route. But the Australian flag carrier has not yet announced a relaunch date for the route. <h2>Between Newark and Cape Town, South Africa</h2><div type="image" title="Cape Town" height="800" width="1066" msid="88572150" hostid="261"></div>United began flying to Cape Town, South Africa in December 2019, shortly before the pandemic impacted travel between the US and South Africa. The Biden administration's South Africa travel restrictions overshadowed United's December 1 relaunch but flights have continued despite the restrictions and are planned into 2022. Cape Town isn't currently served by any other US airline and United sees no competition from any carrier on the route. <h2>Where other carriers will fly the furthest from the US</h2><div type="image" title="American Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner" height="1459" width="1946" msid="88572152" hostid="261"></div>American and Delta operate the other two longest routes on the top 10 list.Delta takes the number four spot with its 7,300-nautical mile route between Atlanta and Johannesburg, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-flights-south-africa-diverting-fuel-while-en-route-us-2021-12">longest in its route network</a>. A long-time Delta staple, the route resumed in August after being temporarily suspended during the pandemic and has continued to operate despite the Biden administration's travel restrictions for southern Africa. American plans to operate the fifth-longest route of any US carrier with its planned Seattle-Bangalore route that's scheduled for October 29, 2022. First announced in 2020, American has had to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-cutting-routes-prague-edinburgh-hong-kong-2021-12">delay the route's launch due to pandemic travel restrictions and delays in receiving Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft</a>. <h2>Where United notably isn't flying</h2><div type="image" title="United Airlines" height="1332" width="1776" msid="88572154" hostid="261"></div>United's 2022 route network may be taking the airline around the world. But there are also some regions in which the Chicago-based airline's absence is notable. "United has a very limited presence in South America, especially when compared to American Airlines," Harteveldt said.South America is where United relies more on partner airlines including Copa Airlines and Avianca than flying its own aircraft, especially destinations farther from the US including Cordoba, Argentina; Brasilia, Brazil; and Montevideo, Uruguay.American, conversely, has had South America as a key part of its strategy dating back to when it purchase Eastern Airlines' Latin America routes. "For more than 30 years, American has been serving Latin America and American has been the leading US airline in South America," Harteveldt said, a position <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-working-with-budget-carriers-startups-to-fill-network-gaps-2021-9">American was forced to defend when it lost LATAM Airlines as a partner to Delta Air Lines in 2019</a>.United serves most of South America's top destinations — including Bogota, Colombia; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Buenos Aires Argentina; and others — but travelers looking to fly elsewhere will have to use a partner airline. And while partner airlines can offer a greater network, they may have a markedly different onboard experience that is outside of United's control.The Gulf region of the Middle East is also entirely unserved by United following the end of the Washington-Dubai route in 2016. American will be the first airline to fly to a Gulf country since 2016 when its New York-Doha, Qatar route launches in 2022 with the help of Qatar Airways. United has no such partner airlines in the Gulf to facilitate connections, leaving travelers to use European, African, or even Canadian airlines for flights to Dubai, Doha, and elsewhere.The Middle East will see more of United in 2022 with the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-reveals-5-new-international-destinations-3-new-routes-2021-10">start of non-stop flights between Washington and Amman, Jordan in May 2022</a>, and travelers can take United to Israel from many of the airline's US hubs.

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