India flags antitrust concerns with Air India, Vistara merger

India's antitrust body is scrutinising Air India's planned merger with Vistara and has asked the company why it should not be investigated further over competition concerns, potentially delaying the process, two sources with direct knowledge said. It is a new challenge for formerly government-owned Air India, which Tata Group took over last year. The Indian airline has ambitious plans to modernise its fleet, operational systems and revenue management. In a bid to streamline businesses, Tata in November said it was merging its two full-service carriers Air India and Vistara to create a bigger airline that will take on local rivals such as IndiGo and Middle Eastern carriers that dominate outbound traffic from India. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has flagged that on some routes and categories - such as business class travel - the merged entity could have a monopoly, said one of the two sources, who declined to be named as the matter is confidential. The CCI has issued a so-called "show cause" notice to Air India to explain its position, and they have 30 days to respond, the two sources said. The CCI, Air India and Vistara did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Vistara is a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines; neither of those companies responded to requests for comment. To address the CCI's concerns, Air India could make concessions such as giving up certain routes or reducing frequency, the second source said, adding that Air India remains confident the matter can be resolved by recommending certain changes.<br/>