Vistara Airlines, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, has received the green light from the government to start operations on international routes, becoming the fifth Indian airline to be able to do so, reports Financial Express.

“The airline received permission from the aviation ministry just before the election dates were announced”, said CNBC TV18, citing sources.

The first international flight to be launched by Vistara could be to Colombo, Sri Lanka, even though no exact date has yet been announced.

Vistara had been hopeful of beginning its international operations last year itself but could obtain necessary approvals from the government. The airlines had already added 60 aircraft for international routes in anticipation of government clearance.

On the domestic front, Vistara has added 16 new routes which will be covered by its flights. Some of these new routes are Delhi-Raipur, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Bagdogra and Delhi-Jammu.

Earlier, Vistara had also become the first airline to initiate giving out free sanitary napkins to female passengers on board who requested it. “The airline will provide ISO 9001:2015 certified, bio-degradable and organic sanitary napkins made from plant-based fibres that are free of plastic, toxins and perfume,” Vistara had announced just before the International Women’s Day.