The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted regulatory approval for the merger of AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia, into Air India Express. Effective from October 1, 2024, all AIX Connect aircraft have been transferred to Air India Express’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), ensuring uninterrupted airline operations. This move is a part of the broader Air India Group’s restructuring efforts, which aims to merge four airlines into two. The newly merged entity will operate under the ‘Air India Express’ brand with a unified airline code, IX.
This milestone is a critical part of Air India’s larger transformation journey. Alongside the ongoing merger of Vistara with Air India, these efforts aim to streamline operations and create a world-class airline capable of competing globally. Air India Express and AIX Connect currently operate about 400 daily flights with a fleet of 88 aircraft, including 61 Boeing 737s and 27 Airbus A320s. The merger will help expand this fleet, with new planes joining every month. The fleet is projected to exceed 100 aircraft by the end of the financial year.
The DGCA emphasised the complexity of the merger, which required the integration of various systems, from aircraft and crew to operational control and maintenance procedures. Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of Civil Aviation, noted the merger as a benchmark for future consolidations in the aviation industry, highlighting how regulatory oversight played a crucial role in its success. He also stated that the lessons learned would prove valuable for the upcoming merger of Air India and Vistara.
Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, expressed satisfaction with the successful integration. He attributed the merger’s smooth execution to the collaboration between DGCA, BCAS, MoCA, AIX leadership, and the wider Air India team. He further emphasised that this merger would allow the airline to focus on its growth and transformation goals.
With the merger completed, Air India Express is poised for further expansion, especially across its network in India, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia. Campbell Wilson, Managing Director & CEO of Air India, also highlighted the importance of this merger in Air India’s Vihaan.ai transformation plan. He reiterated that the integration would cater to growing demand, particularly from India’s youth, seeking more value-driven air travel experiences. Following this merger, the merger of Vistara into Air India is scheduled for November 12, 2024.
Since the Tata Group’s takeover of Air India in 2022, the airline’s network has grown significantly, with its route count rising from 74 to 171 and passenger numbers increasing by over 400%. These changes reflect the group’s determination to create a global airline powerhouse. The successful merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express is a significant step forward in this transformation.
