Air India Group on Tuesday completed the full integration of two low-cost carriers, Air India Express Ltd and AIX Connect Pvt Ltd. The final approval for the full integration was given by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which included transfer of air operator
certificates.
Under the integration process, AIX Connect Pvt Ltd, which earlier operated as AirAsia India, a joint venture between Tata Sons and AirAsia Bhd, will merge into Air India Express.
Merger involved harmonisation of operational manuals across two low-cost carriers, transfer of aircraft, besides operational, safety and maintenance approvals.
“The successful integration and merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express is commendable and serves as a benchmark for airline mergers. India’s rapid evolution into the world’s third largest aviation market calls for a robust regulatory regime. Accomplishing this milestone given the complexities involved, is testimony to the efforts put in by teams from both the DGCA and the operator.” said Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General, DGCA, in a statement.
“The integration of AIX Connect with Air India Express is an important milestone in Air India’s Vihaan.ai transformation journey…..this merger will be followed by the merger of Vistara into Air India on 12 November. We look forward to working with the guidance of DGCA to conclude it seamlessly.” said Campbell Wilson, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air India and Chairman, Air India Express.
Air India Group is currently working on merging full-service carrier Vistara into Air India and creating a comprehensive and integrated airline which will focus on long-haul international operations, while Air India Express’ focus will be on short-haul low cost operations.
Air India Express’ current fleet size stands at 88 aircraft, with nearly four new aircraft joining the fleet each month. The fleet is expected to cross 100 aircraft by the end of the current financial year, with a network footprint spanning across India, Gulf and Southeast Asia, Air India Group said in a statement.
In January 2022, the government privatised Air India to Tata Sons which acquired the Indian flag carrier for Rs 18,000 crore.