Air India Group has successfully completed the operational integration and legal merger of Air India Express Ltd and AIX Connect Pvt Ltd, marking a significant step in its ambitious Vihaan.AI transformation program. The newly unified airline will operate under the Air India Express name and code IX, effectively merging two low-cost carriers to enhance operational efficiency and passenger services.
The merger, completed in under a year since AIX Connect’s brand refresh, involved the harmonization of operational manuals, transfer of aircraft, and acquisition of necessary operational and safety approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other regulatory bodies. This collaboration has set a benchmark for future airline mergers in India, as noted by DGCA Director General Vikram Dev Dutt.
Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, emphasized the critical role of regulatory support and internal collaboration in achieving this milestone. Meanwhile, Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, highlighted the merger’s potential to meet rising air travel demand, particularly among the country’s youth. In Guwahati, the merger is poised to enhance connectivity and flight options for travelers in the Northeast, catering to the growing aspiration for affordable and accessible air travel in the region. With a fleet of 88 aircraft and plans to exceed 100 by the end of the financial year, Air India Express aims to expand its network across India, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia, thereby fostering regional economic growth.
