AIX Connect To Merge With Air India Express In October, 'I5' Code To Be Retired
Currently, the combined operations of Air India Express and AIX Connect account for approximately 400 daily flights
In a significant development for India’s aviation sector, no-frills carrier AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) will officially merge with Air India Express in the first week of October. As part of the merger, the airline designator code 'I5' will be retired, marking the end of AIX Connect’s 11-year journey.
A senior airline official confirmed that the merger process, which has been underway for nearly a year, is proceeding smoothly. Once the merger is complete, AIX Connect’s aircraft will be transferred to Air India Express’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and all flights will operate under the Air India Express designator code 'IX'.
Currently, the combined operations of Air India Express and AIX Connect account for approximately 400 daily flights. The fleet consists of 88 aircraft, including 61 Boeing 737s and 27 Airbus A320s. The merged entity plans to expand its operations in the coming months.
A dedicated war room has been in operation for the last three months to ensure the transition is seamless, involving coordination with stakeholders such as lessors and airports. The process is expected to serve as a template for future mergers in the aviation industry.
Following the AIX Connect-Air India Express merger, another key merger in the Tata Group's aviation portfolio—Vistara with Air India—is scheduled for November.
