Air India Express, which is merging with AIX Connect, wants to induct 50 new B737 MAX planes in the next 15 months as the Tata Group expands its aviation business.
Furthermore, on October 18, the combined entity of Air India Express, the country’s first international budget carrier, and AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India, will introduce its new brand.
In a note to employees this week, Air India Express and AIX Connect Managing Director Aloke Singh stated that key milestones, including migration to a common reservations and check-in system, have been achieved in terms of integration of the two carriers.
The combined entity now operates 56 aircraft, comprising 26 B737, 2 B737 MAX, 5 A320 neo and 23 A320.
“Over the next 15 months, a total of 50 new B737 MAX aircraft will join the LCC fleet, allowing us to grow our network to new destinations and increase flights on existing routes”, Singh continued.
According to Singh, the focus is now on preparing for the deployment of the capacity, and more than 800 aircrew and other operational professionals who have joined the entity are currently undergoing various phases of training.
Every week, the combined entity conducts around 2,700 flights. Air India Express operates roughly 700 of them, while AIX Connect operates the rest. They fly to 44 destinations, 14 of which are international.
The united entity will be the Tata Group’s Low-Cost Carrier (LCC), which took over Air India and Air India Express in January last year.
Singh went on to say, “On the integration front, key milestones have been achieved; these include migration to a common reservations and check-in system, a common website and agent portal, aligned product and service offerings, and above all, use of a common brand and domain”.
In the meantime, Tata Group is consolidating its airline operations. Aside from the Air India Express-AIX Connect integration, Air India is integrating Vistara. Vistara is a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines, with the former owning a 51 percent stake.
India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, and air traffic is also increasing.
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