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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Doctorate recipient boycotts Governor Ravi, receives degree in TN varsity event from VC
Tirunelveli, Aug 13 (PTI): A woman recipient of a doctorate boycotted Governor R N Ravi in the convocation ceremony held here on Wednesday by Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.
While varsity top officials including Vice Chancellor N Chandrasekar stood near the Governor on the dais, recipients of degrees arrived on the dais one by one and they gave their certificates to Ravi, posed for photographs and received the degree from him.
However, a recipient of a doctorate, who later identified herself as Jean Rajan walked past Ravi, gave her degree to Chandrasekar and received it from him.
Governor Ravi, even before Rajan moved away from him, gestured her to stand beside him and take her degree. However, she apparently ignored the gesture.
Speaking to reporters, Rajan demanded to know what has the governor done for the state. She said it was her degree and it was hence, her choice to decide from whom she should receive it.
She alleged the Governor worked against "Tamil and Tamil Nadu" and it was annoying and hence, she did not wish to receive her degree from him.
Though the VC told her on the dais to receive her degree from Governor, she was not inclined to do that. Jean Rajan said she worked for a company in Nagercoil as a senior manager.
She said she believed in the "Dravidian model" and her decision was based on that. Reportedly, Jean Rajan’s husband is an office-bearer of the ruling DMK in Nagercoil town.
Varsity officials including Registrar J Sacratees took part in the function.
Ph.D. scholar Jean Joseph refuses to receive her degree from #TamilNadu Governor #RNRavi during the 32nd convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University held on Wednesday. Instead, she received the degree from Vice Chancellor N. Chandrasekar.
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) August 13, 2025
"As the Governor is working against… pic.twitter.com/aG2YzOdCPL
