Air India Express, AIX Connect complete merger

Indian low-cost carriers Air India Express and AIX Connect have completed their merger, a key milestone in the reorganisation of the Air India Group. Following a merger process that took less than one year, the combined carrier will operate under the Air India Express name with the airline code IX, says Air India. AIX Connect formerly operated as AirAsia India. The merged carrier has received an updated Air Operator Certificate from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. “The successful integration and merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express is commendable and serves as a benchmark for airline mergers,” says DGCA director general Vikram Dutt. “India’s rapid evolution into the world’s third largest aviation market calls for a robust regulatory regime. Accomplishing this milestone given the complexities involved, is testimony to the efforts put in by teams from both the DGCA and the operator.” The consolidation of the Air India Group will see four carriers combined to form two under the group’s five-year Vihaan.AI restructuring programme.<br/>