Air India Group has successfully completed the merger of Air India Express with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), marking a significant step in its transformation plan. The merged entity, operating under the ‘Air India Express’ brand with the unified airline code IX, brings together two low-cost carriers to create a more robust and streamlined operation.
The integration process, completed in less than a year, involved harmonising operational manuals, transferring Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), and meeting regulatory approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
On Tuesday, Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of DGCA, presented the updated AOC to Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, marking the official completion of the merger.
Air India Express will now focus on expansion, with its fleet expected to grow to over 100 aircraft by the end of the financial year. Since Tata Group took over Air India in 2022, Air India Express has seen a rapid increase in routes and passenger capacity.
The merger follows Air India's broader restructuring under the Vihaan.AI plan, which will also merge Vistara into Air India by 12 November 2024.