Air India has merged with Air India Express and AirAsia India

This week, the Air India Group achieved a major accomplishment by integrating its two low-cost subsidiary airlines, Air India Express and AirAsia India. On March 27th, the two budget carriers migrated to a unified reservations system and website, and started using shared social media and customer support channels.

The migration process mainly consisted of Air India Express adopting the systems of AirAsia India, and this transition offers substantial benefits in terms of capability and efficiency for both the airline and its customers. In particular, passengers can now use a brand new integrated website to book and manage their flights, as well as check-in for both domestic and international flights operated by AirAsia India and Air India Express.

The consolidation of these systems occurred after AirAsia India became a fully-owned subsidiary of Air India five months ago, and after both AirAsia India and Air India Express were placed under the leadership of a single CEO three months ago.

In the upcoming months, the airlines will proceed with integrating additional internal systems and eventually consolidate their air operating permits and regulatory positions.

According to Campbell Wilson, the CEO and Managing Director of Air India, the integration of Air India Express and AirAsia India’s primary reservations and passenger-facing systems represents a significant milestone in the Air India Group’s transformational journey.

With this new Air India Express that operates domestically and internationally with low-cost airline systems, the Group now has a more robust platform for LCCs. This, combined with the Group’s recent aircraft order that set a new standard, lays the foundation for the realization of numerous opportunities for customers, employees, and Indian aviation.

Welcome to our new digital home – one destination for all your journeys! Now book Air India Express and AirAsia India flights on https://t.co/rMBTOFABRt, and enjoy fast bookings, fab deals and fantastic value. #OneSkyOneHome #JoinTheFamily pic.twitter.com/rqh86gVhW7

— Air India Express & AirAsia India (@AirIndiaX) March 28, 2023

The integration of Air India Express and Air India will result in revenue, cost, and operational advantages by implementing the best practices, systems, and routes of both airlines, and achieving greater economies of scale.

The restructured Air India Express will concentrate on price-sensitive markets oriented towards leisure while enhancing connectivity between significant domestic cities and Air India’s rapidly expanding international network.

The merged airline will operate flights to domestic destinations throughout India, as well as 14 international destinations from 19 cities in India.

Air India Express, which began operations in 2005, was the first international low-cost carrier in India and has always been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India. Its primary focus is connecting smaller Indian cities directly with the Middle East and Southeast Asia using 26 Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

AirAsia India was purchased by Tata and Air India in December 2022 and has since been rebranded as AIX Connect. It currently operates 28 Airbus A320s.