Singapore Airlines confirms talks with Tata on Vistara-Air India merger
Singapore, Oct 14: Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it is in talks with India's Tata Group over a potential merger of Vistara airline, a joint venture between the two companies, and Air India -- the 100 per cent acquisition of which the Indian conglomerate has recently completed.
The confirmation comes amid Indian media reports that Tata, having completed its acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in Air India, and looking at merging it with Vistara.
Tata has a 51 per cent stake in Vistara, while SIA holds 49 per cent.
"The discussions seek to deepen the existing partnership between SIA and Tata, and may include a potential integration of Vistara and Air India," SIA said in a statement to the Singapore Exchange.
"The discussions are ongoing and no definitive terms have been agreed upon between the parties."
It is unclear what stake, if any, SIA would have if Vistara merged into Air India, or whether fresh funds would be needed for the ailing Air India group, according to a report by The Straits Times.
The SIA statement noted that any deal would need the green light from Singapore's competition watchdog and the authorities in India.
Vistara was established in 2013, giving the SIA group a stake in India's fast-growing aviation sector.
India has strong domestic and international traffic flows, which are tipped to more than double over the next 10 years.
The International Air Transport Association has noted that India will become the third-largest aviation market in the world - including international and domestic traffic - by around 2024.
Indian Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in November 2021 that India has already become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world.
The SIA sees the Vistara stake as an integral part of its multi-hub strategy, giving it access to important sources that complement its strong Singapore hub, said The Straits Times report.
It provides Vistara with operational and management expertise while Tata provides the corporate umbrella and domain knowledge in India.
Vistara's chief executive is Singaporean Vinod Kannan, who has been seconded from SIA.
His predecessor was his colleague Leslie Thng, who has returned to Singapore and is now CEO of Scoot.
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Cong alleges its Rithala candidate 'assaulted' by EC official
New Delhi, Jan 26 (PTI): The Congress alleged Saturday its Rithala candidate Sushant Mishra was assaulted by a poll official, and demanded a thorough probe into the incident and action against him.
Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed Sushant Mishra was assaulted by an Election Commission of India official on Saturday.
He alleged the official also attempted to prevent Mishra from undertaking a Padayatra for which the Delhi Police had already given permission.
In a post on X, Ramesh said, "@sushant_m has been actively taking up violations of the Model Code of Conduct by other candidates in the ongoing Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections. This unprecedented and illegal act of partisanship by an official of a Constitutional body like the ECI can only be seen as a desperate attempt by the AAP and BJP to stem the surge of support for his candidacy and that of the Congress Party in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections"
Ramesh said the Congress remains undaunted and will continue to raise the voice of people and protect the sanctity of elections.
"To preserve the integrity of the electoral process, the Indian National Congress demands a full inquiry into the incident and immediate corrective action against the concerned official," the Congress leader demanded.
Mishra has also separately written to the returning office and Chief Electoral officer and the Election Commission about the incident, demanding action against the accused.
.@INCIndia के रिठाला विधानसभा के उम्मीदवार सुशांत मिश्रा (@sushant_m) पर कल @ECISVEEP के एक अधिकारी ने हमला करके उन्हें घायल कर दिया। अधिकारी ने उन्हें पदयात्रा करने से रोकने का भी प्रयास किया, जिसके लिए दिल्ली पुलिस ने पहले ही अनुमति दे दी थी।
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 26, 2025
सुशांत मिश्रा दिल्ली विधानसभा… pic.twitter.com/sQ7I6EIvvY
