Air India Express Welcomes First Airbus A320neo as Fleet Integration Progresses
In a strategic move towards consolidating its operations, Air India Express (IX) has successfully added its first Airbus aircraft, an A320-200neo, to its fleet. The A320neo, bearing registration VT-ATJ and manufactured just 2.3 years ago, was seamlessly transferred from the merged low-cost carrier, AirAsia India, marking a significant step in the Air India Group’s effort to streamline its four Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) into two.
Owned by AerCap, VT-ATJ concluded its last revenue flight for AirAsia India on August 23, 2023, flying from Jaipur via Hyderabad International to Bangalore International. Following its transfer back to Hyderabad, the aircraft underwent maintenance and successfully operated test flights throughout September 2023, all under the Air India Express ‘IX’ code. The A320neo officially commenced revenue service for its new operator on October 4, flying from Bengaluru to Jaipur.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive of Air India, emphasized that this transfer is part of a larger plan to merge the two low-cost carriers and enhance operational flexibility. The integration process will involve transferring additional aircraft progressively, allowing the merged entity to optimize and efficiently deploy its fleet across the low-cost network.
Air India Express, historically operating a fleet of Boeing aircraft, primarily B737-800s, has now diversified with the addition of Airbus A320neo. The airline’s fleet currently consists of twenty-six B737-800s, with two B737-8s awaiting induction into revenue service.
The merger between Air India Express and AirAsia India gained approval in late July 2023, with plans for both airlines to operate under the Air India Express brand before transitioning to AIX Connect. The integration process is expected to conclude by March 2024, representing a pivotal step in the broader acquisition of Air India by Tata Sons. Additionally, the merger with Vistara is underway and anticipated to conclude in 2024.
Stay tuned for updates on Air India Express as it navigates through the fleet integration process and positions itself for enhanced efficiency and operational synergy.