New Delhi. Marking a significant development in the Indian aviation sector, Air India Group on Tuesday completed the merger of low-cost carrier AIX Connect with Air India Express. The number of aircraft in the fleet of the company formed after the merger is expected to cross 100 by the end of March next year. The merger will be completed in less than a year and the entity will operate under the name ‘Air India Express’ and airline code ‘IX’.
Air India chief Campbell Wilson termed the completion of the merger as a significant achievement in the turnaround of the Air India group. Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday said the merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express sets a new benchmark for future airline consolidation in the country. “With effect from October 1, 2024, all AIX Connect aircraft have been shifted to AIX Air Operator Certification (AOC),” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. “With this, the airline operations of the combined entity will continue without any disruption and passengers will be able to have a safe and smooth experience.” These airlines are part of the Tata Group, which will also merge Vistara with Air India next month.
The fleet of the merged entity is expected to exceed 100 aircraft by the end of the current financial year 2024-25, which currently stands at 88 aircraft. “Since the acquisition of Air India by the Tata Group in early 2022, the number of routes operated by AIX has increased from 74 to 171 and passenger traffic has increased by more than 400 percent,” Air India Group said in the statement. ” The merger process included coordination of operations of both low-cost airlines, transfer of aircraft, operational, security and maintenance clearances.
Wilson said the merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express is an important milestone in Air India’s ‘Vihaan.AI’ transformation journey. The merged entity will cater to the growing demand for air travel in India and the region. Apart from being the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air India, Wilson is also the Chairman of Air India Express.
Alok Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “We engaged in the complex task of integration of the two airline companies and this has culminated today in the operational and legal merger of the two organizations.” The regulator said it will closely monitor the post-merger operations to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, protect consumer interests and ensure the safety of air operations in India.
DGCA chief Vikram Dev Dutt said, “Our rigorous review ensures that this merger serves the public interest by promoting safe air operations while improving the overall travel experience for consumers.” He said, “The insights gained from this experience will prove valuable for the upcoming merger of Air India and Vistara, which is currently under process.”