DGCA Approves Merger of AIX Connect into Air India Express, Pioneers Seamless Integration

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the merger of AIX Connect into Air India Express, effective October 1, 2024. This merger sets a benchmark in airline consolidation, maintaining safety and operational standards without disrupting passenger operations.

By Saurabh Triwedi, The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted regulatory approval on Tuesday for the merger of AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia) into Air India Express. The effective date for this merger is October 1, 2024, ensuring seamless transfer of all AIXC aircraft onto the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of AIX, without disrupting operations or compromising passenger safety.

According to DGCA's Director General Vikram Dev Dutt, the merger represents a pivotal moment in airline consolidation. Dutt emphasized that this seamless integration showcases strategic regulatory oversight and will enhance both resilience and innovation within the airline, positioning it as a strong competitor in the global market.

The merger involved a comprehensive integration process including aircraft, pilots, cabin crew, engineers, operational control systems, and extensive backend systems. DGCA played a central role in ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, engaging continuously with all stakeholders to avoid fleet grounding and passenger inconvenience.

DGCA's proactive measures, including the formation of a dedicated project team, have facilitated regulatory approvals in a timely manner. Thorough reviews of organizational structures, personnel alignments, and compliance with domestic and international aviation regulations were critical components of this process. Additionally, a live tracker was established for real-time monitoring and intervention to maintain the progress and ensure ongoing regulatory compliance post-merger.

The successful merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express underscores DGCA's commitment to fostering public interest by enhancing the overall travel experience and maintaining the highest safety standards, while also providing valuable insights for the upcoming merger of Air India and Vistara.

(With inputs from agencies.)