AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India, will no longer exist as the airline merges with Air India Express in the first week of October, marking the end of its 11-year operation.
The airline designator code “I5” will be phased out, and all flights will now operate under Air India Express’s “IX” code, officials confirmed, PTI reported.
The merger, which has been in progress for nearly a year, is on track, according to a senior airline official. AIX Connect’s aircraft will be transferred to the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Air India Express as part of the legal merger.
The combined airline will operate around 400 flights daily, with a fleet of 88 planes, including Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. A war room has been set up for the past three months to ensure a smooth transition, which includes integrating lessors, airports, and a single rostering system for the crew.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved AIX Connect’s operations under the Air India Express brand in July 2023, and the airline unveiled a unified brand last year. Despite challenges with some cabin crew, the integration has largely covered areas such as human resources and the flight network.
This merger sets the stage for the consolidation of the Tata Group’s aviation ventures, with the merger of Vistara and Air India scheduled for November.