Air India Group has achieved a significant milestone by completing the operational integration and legal merger of Air India Express Ltd and AIX Connect Pvt Ltd, formerly known as AirAsia India. This merger forms a larger Low-Cost Carrier operating under the name ‘Air India Express’ with a unified airline code, IX. This development is a crucial part of Air India Group’s ongoing transformation, which includes consolidating four airlines into two, alongside the upcoming merger of Vistara into Air India.
The integration of Air India Express was accomplished in less than a year since the introduction of its refreshed brand. The merger involved aligning operational manuals and transferring Air Operator Certificates (AOCs). Given the complexities involved, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) played a vital role, providing support and oversight throughout the process. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and other key stakeholders also contributed to the successful merger.
On Tuesday, the Director General of DGCA, Vikram Dev Dutt, officially handed over the updated AOC to Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, in a ceremony attended by Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India and Chairman of Air India Express, at the DGCA headquarters in New Delhi.
Dutt remarked, “The successful merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express is commendable and sets a new standard for airline integrations. As India evolves into the world’s third-largest aviation market, a robust regulatory framework is essential. This achievement, despite the challenges, highlights the collaborative efforts of both the DGCA and the airline teams.”
To facilitate the merger, a live tracker created by the Flight Standards Directorate of DGCA and a dedicated team monitored the harmonization process, ensuring that the integration was completed efficiently.
Aloke Singh expressed his appreciation, stating, “We embarked on the integration of AIX Connect and Air India Express about a year ago, uniting both organizations under one brand. Today’s operational and legal merger is the result of a meticulous integration effort, made possible by the collaboration between DGCA, BCAS, MoCA, and our leadership teams.”
Campbell Wilson added, “The merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express marks a key milestone in Air India’s Vihaan.ai transformation initiative. The newly merged entity will address the increasing demand for air travel across India and the surrounding regions, particularly among young travelers seeking innovative and value-driven options. Following this merger, we anticipate the seamless integration of Vistara into Air India on November 12.”
With the merger finalized, Air India Express is poised for growth and transformation. The airline’s fleet has already expanded to 88 aircraft, with plans to add nearly four new aircraft each month. It is expected that the fleet will exceed 100 aircraft by the end of the current financial year, covering a wide network 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 the Tata Group acquired Air India in early 2022.
In October 2023, the airline revealed its unified brand, ‘Air India Express.’ Flights previously operated by AIX Connect are now marketed under the Air India Express brand, following the necessary regulatory approvals.