Air Asia India completes transfer of A320 VT-ATJ aircraft to Air India Express as part of fleet merger

Air India Express

AIX Connect (formerly known as Air Asia India) this week completed the transfer of an A320 aircraft, the VT-ATJ, to Air India Express as part of the merger of the two airlines, Air India's CEO and MD Campbell Wilson told employees in a letter on October 6.

"VT-ATJ, at A320 originally from Air Asia India, became the first to transfer into the Air India Express fleet after completing DGCA’s detailed five-phase CAP3100 process," Wilson said.

He added that other aircraft will soon be transferred from the fleet of AIX Connect to Air India Express to ensure that the two low-cost carriers operate as one and the airline has full flexibility to deploy aircraft in the most optimal and efficient manner across its network.

ALSO READ: Air India Express takes delivery of 2 new Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft

"VT-ATJ has now been operating domestically for a few days and will commence international service tomorrow, Oct 7. Well done to the IX/I5 teams for the regulatory and preparatory work involved," Campbell said.

The fleet merger by the airlines is part of the Tata Group's plan of creating two distinct airlines through mergers: a low-cost carrier formed by merging AirAsia India and Air India Express, and a full-service carrier created by combining Air India and Vistara.

The Tata Group plans to first complete the merger of AirAsia India with Air India Express by the end of 2023.

Air India Express, which will function as the low-cost arm of Air India, will follow in the footsteps of its parent company and unveil its new brand in the next couple of months.

Air India Express also has ambitious plans to expand its fleet and network, with the aim of establishing itself as the second-largest low-cost carrier in the competitive Indian domestic market.

As part of its expansion strategy, Air India Express is planning to deploy 50 Boeing 737 Max aircraft by the end of 2024.

In August the two airlines announced new harmonized grades, compensation, and benefits for the two companies ahead of their merger.

The airlines have also come out with a unified website, airindiaexpress.com, which allows users to book and manage services from both airlines in domestic and international sectors with an integrated backend passenger service system.

Both airlines have also synergised a host of other ancillary add-on services and sub-brands, including Gourmair in-flight dining, Xpress Prime seats, and Xpress Ahead priority services.

AIXL currently operates flights from 20 Indian cities to 14 regional international destinations, while AIXC serves 19 domestic destinations. They complement each other's networks to provide an extensive network for flyers across India and short-haul international destinations.

Air India last week also entered into a codeshare agreement with Air India Express.