Indian low-cost carriers Air India Express and AIX Connect have officially merged, marking a significant development in the ongoing reorganization of the Air India Group. The combined airline will operate under the Air India Express name, using the airline code IX. This follows the issuance of an updated Air Operator Certificate by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The merger, completed in less than a year, consolidates the operations of Air India Express and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India). The move is part of Air India’s broader restructuring program, known as Vihaan.AI, which aims to streamline the group’s carriers into two distinct entities. Air India Express will target the low-cost market, while the premium segment will be addressed by merging Vistara into Air India.
Air India Express currently operates a fleet of 88 aircraft, with plans to expand to 100 by the end of the financial year on March 31, 2025. The next phase of the consolidation involves the integration of Vistara into Air India, which is scheduled to take place on November 12, 2024.
DGCA director general Vikram Dutt noted the efforts of both the regulatory body and the airlines in successfully completing the merger. According to Dutt, this achievement reflects the coordination needed to navigate the complexities of India's rapidly growing aviation market.
Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson highlighted that the merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express is a key part of the Vihaan.AI transformation, which seeks to meet the rising demand for air travel, particularly in the low-cost segment.
The integration of Vistara into Air India is expected to further advance Air India’s restructuring efforts as it aims to create a more unified operational framework.
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