AI Express-AIX Connect merger: Once all red birds came home... I5 flew into sunset
Interestingly, the first flight of AirAsia India, which started flying in 2014, was from Bengaluru to Goa. The merged entity is now operating under the name 'Air India Express's and airline code 'IX'
PTI
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DGCA Director General Vikram Dev Dutt hands over the updated AOC to Managing Director of Air India Express Aloke Singh, in New Delhi on Tuesday. PHOTO: PTI
New Delhi, 1 Oct
"Once all the red birds came
home, we officially sunset the 'I5' code," Air India Express chief Aloke
Singh told employees on Tuesday as the merger of AIX Connect with the airline
became a reality. And the last flight of AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India,
with 'I5' code was from Goa to Bengaluru on Monday night.
Interestingly, the first flight of
AirAsia India, which started flying in 2014, was from Bengaluru to Goa. The
merged entity is now operating under the name 'Air India Express's and airline
code 'IX'. "Last night (Monday night), once all the red birds came home,
we officially sunset the I5 code. The historic - if a bit emotional - moment
was captured in the cabin announcement made by Capt Nishanth Nair, who operated
the last I5-coded flight," Singh said in a message to the employees.
After the name change to AIX
Connect, the tails of aircraft of erstwhile AirAsia India were painted red. Singh
also said they received the last of the regulatory approvals by half past
midnight after which all operations seamlessly transitioned to the 'IX' code.
The merged entity's fleet, which
currently stands at 88 planes, is expected to cross 100 aircraft by the end of
this financial year. "The number of routes AIX operates has risen from 74
to 171, and passenger carriage has increased by over 400 per cent since the
take over of Air India by Tata group in early 2022," Air India Group said
in a release.
Air India Express, which commenced
operations in 2005, was earlier steered by the government and is now a subsidiary
of Tata Group-owned Air India. AirAsia India, which took off as a budget
carrier jointly owned by Tatas and Malaysia's AirAsia Berhad in 2014, was
rechristened as AIX Connect in December 2022 following the exit of the
Malaysian carrier from the venture.
After giving its approval, the
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said the merger sets a
new benchmark for future airline consolidation in the country.
"Effective October 1, 2024,
all aircraft of AIX Connect have been transferred seamlessly onto the Air
Operator Certificate (AOC) of AIX, ensuring that airline operations of the
combined entity continue without disruption to ensure a safe and smooth
passenger experience," DGCA said in a release. Both airlines are part of
Tata Group, which will also be merging Vistara with Air India next month.
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