Air India Group has successfully completed the operational integration and legal merger of Air India Express Ltd and AIX Connect Pvt Ltd (formerly AirAsia India) to establish a larger Low-Cost Carrier. This newly merged entity will operate under the name ‘Air India Express’ with a unified airline code, IX, representing a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of Air India Group, which is consolidating four airlines into two. The group is also in the process of merging Vistara into Air India, aiming to create a world-class global airline.
The merger of Air India Express was finalized in less than a year after the airline's refreshed brand was launched. This process involved harmonizing operational manuals and transferring Air Operator Certificates (AOCs). Given the complexity of such a merger, close collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was essential, as they supported and monitored the process throughout. The merger also benefited from the backing of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and other key stakeholders.
On Tuesday, Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of DGCA, presented the updated AOC to Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, in a ceremony attended by Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Air India and Chairman of Air India Express, at the DGCA headquarters in New Delhi.
Vikram Dev Dutt remarked, “The successful integration and merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express is commendable and sets a benchmark for airline mergers. India's rapid ascent to becoming the world's third-largest aviation market necessitates a robust regulatory framework. Achieving this milestone amidst such complexities is a testament to the dedication of both the DGCA and the airline teams.”
A live tracker developed by the Flight Standards Directorate of DGCA, along with a dedicated team for ongoing monitoring of the harmonization process, was instrumental in completing this challenging task within the set timeframe.
Aloke Singh expressed his gratitude, stating, “About a year ago, we began integrating AIX Connect with Air India Express, uniting the two organizations under a common brand. Today’s operational and legal merger is the culmination of a complex integration process, made possible by the close cooperation among DGCA, BCAS, MoCA, and our leadership teams.”
Campbell Wilson added, “The merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express marks an important step in Air India’s Vihaan.ai transformation journey. The unified entity will meet the growing demand for air travel across India and the region, particularly among the country’s aspiring youth seeking fresh and attractive value offerings. Following this merger, we anticipate the integration of Vistara into Air India on November 12, and we look forward to working with DGCA to ensure a seamless transition.”
With the merger complete, Air India Express is poised for future growth and transformation. The airline’s fleet has expanded to 88 aircraft, with nearly four new additions each month. The fleet is expected to surpass 100 aircraft by the end of the current financial year, covering routes across India, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia. The number of routes operated by AIX has increased from 74 to 171, and passenger numbers have surged by over 400% since Tata Group took over Air India in early 2022.
In October 2023, the airline unveiled the unified brand ‘Air India Express.’ Since then, flights operated by AIX Connect have also been marketed under the Air India Express brand, with the necessary regulatory approvals in place.