Tata Group-owned Air India Express on October 18 unveiled its new look and aircraft livery -- the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The new Air India Express wears four colours, namely, orange, turquoise, tangerine, and ice blue.
Air India Express is in the process of merging AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with itself and the forged entity will operate as one airline and will be the low-cost carrier of the Tata Group.
Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said the re-branding marks a new phase in the airline's ambitious growth and transformation journey, starting with the induction of the modern fuel-efficient Boeing B7378 aircraft.
Air India Express unveiled its new visual identity at the Mumbai airport, two months after Air India unveiled its new brand identity. “The airline's new visual identity features an energetic and premium colour palette of Express Orange and Express Turquoise with Express Tangerine and Express Ice Blue as secondary colours,” Air India Express said in a release.
Also read: How Air India is forging an interconnected future with group airlines
According to the airline, the livery of the first new Boeing 737-8 aircraft draws inspiration from Bandhani textile design.
“The upcoming aircraft being inducted will feature designs inspired by other traditional patterns including Ajrakh, Patola, Kanjeevaram, Kalamkari, etc, showcasing India's artistic diversity. The airline's 'Patterns of India' theme encapsulates the spirit of the nation and shares its stories through a visual journey,” Air India Express said in a statement.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, who was at the AIX livery launch, said, “Between now and 2024 end, on average, the AI Group will take delivery of a new aircraft every six days”.
Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh said: “We will have a network comprising domestic routes alongside those in the Gulf, South East Asia, and South Asia under a common brand. Though you will continue to see two airline designators -- IX and I5 -- for some time.”
“With 50 aircraft set to be inducted into the fleet over the next 15 months, we double in size in a short span of time. Over the course of the next five years, we aim to grow to a fleet of about 170 narrow-body aircraft, with a network spanning the domestic India and short-haul international markets,” he added.
Notably, the Tata Group is in the process of consolidating its airline business. Apart from Air India Express-AIX Connect integration, Air India is merging Vistara with itself. Vistara is a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines, in which the former holds a 51 percent stake.
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