The notice for the merger was filed jointly by the four parties–Tata Sons, Singapore Airlines, Air India, and Tata SIA Airlines (Vistara).The competition watchdog’s approval is a must for mergers and acquisitions. The Air India-Vistara merger is part of the consolidation of airlines under the Tata umbrella. After the merger, which is likely to be completed in financial year 2023-24, the combined entity will retain the Air India brand, while the Vistara brand will be retired. Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1 per cent in the merged airline.

As per latestdata, Air India and Vistara have a cumulative domestic market share of a little over 25 per cent, and the combine is the second largest player in the country’s aviation market, after market leader Indigo. The Tata group is already in the process of merging its low-cost carriers Air India Express and AIX Connect (formerly Air Asia India). Once both the mergers are complete, the Tata stable will have a full-service carrier Air India and a low-cost airline Air India Express.