AirAsia India Aims to Expedite Air India Express Merger

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AirAsia India (I5), based in Bangalore International, is pushing for an accelerated merger with Air India Express (IX), headquartered in Mumbai International. The airline has formally requested approval from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conclude the merger approximately three months ahead of the previously anticipated date in March 2024, according to a report from Mint.

With the integration of staff and their reallocation to new positions already in progress, AirAsia India is now focusing on the seamless integration of its operations into Air India Express, with a specific emphasis on combining flight networks. The rebranding process has also begun, with AirAsia India’s five A320-200Ns and twenty-five A320-200s currently undergoing repainting to don Air India Express’s livery. The repainting of three to four aircraft per month is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. Additionally, the two airlines have already successfully integrated their reservation systems and customer interfaces.

AirAsia India has initiated the process of changing its IATA flight code from ‘I5’ to ‘IX’. Upon completion of the merger, the new entity will be known as AIX Connect. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing competitiveness against India’s dominant low-cost carrier, IndiGo Airlines (6E) of Delhi International.

This merger is part of the larger consolidation efforts by the Tata Sons conglomerate. Tata is also in the process of merging Air India (AI) of Mumbai International and Vistara (UK) of Delhi International, with the Vistara brand eventually being phased out.

Furthermore, Air India will soon place its flight codes on AirAsia India flights for four domestic routes starting August 1. AirAsia India will operate three daily roundtrip flights between Bangalore International and Bhubaneswar as Air India codeshares, with Air India aircraft not servicing the route. On the remaining three routes, namely Mumbai International to Goa Dabolim, Delhi International to Lucknow, and Delhi International to Pune, AirAsia India aircraft will operate several scheduled roundtrips a day as Air India codeshares. However, Air India will continue to operate some of its own flights on these routes.