Vistara, the airline joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, is scheduled to take to the skies on 9 January 2015.

The airline is looking forward to the government scupering its 5/20 mechanism, which mandates a minimum of five years of domestic operations, and a fleet of 20 aircraft, to be eligible to fly overseas routes.

Vistara's chief executive officer Phee Teik Yeoh said "The writings are on the wall (for the government to do way with the 5/20 rule). If the Indian aviation industry has to be on the global map, this rule must go...We are hopeful that 5/20 rule goes away. When it does we will look at expediting overseas expansion,"

Vistara will partner Singapore Airlines and other international airline operators to offer the Indian flyer a seemless flying experience.

Vistara CEO

Vistara expects to go for wide body aircraft once the 5/20 rule is scuppered.

The full-service airline will start domestic operations connecting New Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with a fleet of two Airbus A320s. It plans to have five aircraft operating by March 2015.

Yeoh said that the pricing strategy would reflect the demand-supply fundamentals.

Vistara plans to offer multiple check-in facilities, through web, mobile, cabin class-wise airport counters and roving agents at the airport. Return check-in is also to be made available.

Meal options are to be rotated every six days and the airline sees 'intuitive' service in the future.

Yeoh emphasized that keen focus on IT and technology, with the added benefit of being a new airline, would help Vistara maintain a lean operation, with lower overhead costs.

The pricing for the inaugural flight will be on the high side, while remaining competitive on the 20 and 30 day advance booking basis, reported Firstpost.