Air India Group has successfully merged Air India Express Ltd with AIX Connect Pvt Ltd, formerly known as AirAsia India, creating a larger low-cost carrier.
The newly formed airline will operate under the name “Air India Express” and will use a single airline code, IX. This merger is a key step in Air India Group’s ambitious plan to combine four airlines into two, as they work to merge Vistara into Air India to establish a world-class airline.
The merger of Air India Express was finalized in less than a year after its new brand launch. This involved aligning operational procedures and transferring Air Operator Certificates (AOCs).
Due to the complexities of the merger, close collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was essential for monitoring and support. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and other stakeholders also played vital roles.
On Tuesday, Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of DGCA, presented the updated AOC to Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, during a ceremony in New Delhi attended by Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India and Chairman of Air India Express.
Vikram Dev Dutt praised the merger, stating, “The successful integration and merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express is commendable and serves as a benchmark for airline mergers.”
A live tracking system developed by the DGCA has been instrumental in monitoring the merger’s progress, ensuring it stayed on schedule.
Aloke Singh remarked, “The close collaboration amongst DGCA, BCAS, and MoCA, AIX and group leadership teams and many other colleagues were instrumental in the success of this exercise.”
Campbell Wilson added, “The merged entity will cater to the growing demand for air travel around India and in the region, especially amongst the country’s aspirational youth looking for fresh and more appealing value products. This merger will be followed by the merger of Vistara into Air India on 12 November.”
With the merger complete, Air India Express aims for future growth. The airline’s fleet has expanded to 88 aircraft, with plans to exceed 100 by the end of the current financial year. The number of routes has surged from 74 to 171, and passenger numbers have skyrocketed by over 400 percent since Tata Group took over Air India in early 2022.
In October 2023, the airline launched the unified “Air India Express” brand, ensuring that flights previously operated by AIX Connect are now marketed under this new identity, following all necessary regulatory approvals.
Comments
0 comment