AIX Connect explained

Airline:AIX Connect
Iata:I5[1]
Icao:IAD
Callsign:RED KNIGHT[2]
Founded:
Frequent Flyer:Tata NeuPass
Fleet Size:24
Destinations:19[3]
Headquarters:Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Revenue: (2023)[4]
Net Income: (2023)

AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India, is an Indian low-cost airline headquartered in Bangalore (Bengaluru), Karnataka and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India Limited which in turn is owned by Tata Group. The airline was founded as a joint venture between Tata Sons and AirAsia Bhd and commenced operations in June 2014 with Bangalore as its primary operating base. From 2020 to 2022, AirAsia Bhd gradually disinvested its shares in the joint venture and sold them to Tata Sons. In December 2022, after the entire shares of AirAsia India was acquired by Tata Sons, the airline was renamed AIX Connect ahead of its merger with Air India Express.[5]

The AirAsia India brand was retired on 31 October 2023,[6] and the airline now operates flights for Air India Express.

History

In February 2013, with the Government of India allowing a foreign direct investment of up to 49% in airlines, AirAsia Berhad applied to the Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) seeking approval for commencing its operations in India.[7] [8] In March 2013, AirAsia announced that it would establish a joint venture with Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace with Tata Sons representing the airline with two non-executive directors in the board.[9] [10] [11]

The airline planned to operate with the world's lowest unit cost of per available seat kilometre and a passenger break-even load factor of 52%. It also planned to hedge 100% of its fuel requirements for the first three years and to achieve an aircraft turnaround time of 25 minutes.[12]

AirAsia planned to begin operations in various tier 2 and tier 3 cities with Chennai International Airport as its main operating base.[13] According to KPMG, the introduction of AirAsia was expected to cause another price war, ultimately leading to an increase in air traffic and some consolidation in the Indian aviation sector.[14] AirAsia initially invested an amount of 50 million and in preparation for its operations in India, it struck deals with online and offline travel agents.[15] [16] On 3 March 2013, the FIPB officially permitted AirAsia to rent or lease aircraft and to carry cargo on its scheduled flights. The airline then applied for permission to schedule aircraft and transport passengers,[17] which the FIPB accepted on 6 March.[18]

AirAsia India was established on 28 March 2013 and became the first foreign airline to set up a subsidiary in India.[19] [20] In April, the airline started recruiting candidates for pilots and cabin crew.[21] As the final procedure to obtain Air Operator Permit, a proving flight was conducted on 1 and 2 May 2014 flying from Chennai to Kochi, Bangalore and Kolkata.[22] On 7 May 2014, the DGCA issued an Air Operator Permit to the company.[23] On 30 May 2014, the airline announced the shifting of its base to Bangalore and its first flight from there to Goa.[24] AirAsia operated its maiden flight on 12 June 2014.[25] [26] In June 2015, the airline made Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi its secondary hub for North Indian operations.[27] In August 2015, Tata Sons increased its stake to 40.06% from 30% earlier by injecting fresh equity while Telestra's share was reduced to 10% from 20%.[28] [29] As of July 2019, AirAsia India was the fifth largest low-cost carrier in India, behind IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air (India), and GoAir, with a market share of 7.1%.[30]

In January 2018, then-managing director and chief executive Amar Abrol announced plans for the company to expect a fleet of 21 aircraft by the year's end, making it eligible to operate overseas flights.[31] In July 2020, AirAsia India launched an aviation analytics app that would help enhance the operational efficiency of the airline by monitoring and helping manage aircraft turnaround between flights with data analytics in real-time.[32]

On 29 December 2020, AirAsia Berhad announced that it would sell a 32.67% stake in AirAsia India to Tata Sons for $37.7 million, including a provision to sell the remaining 16.33% stake for $18.8 million.[33] [34] Tata Sons acquired Air India Limited on 8 October 2021.[35] [36] The Tata Group requested approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to merge AirAsia India with Air India Limited in April 2022,[37] which was granted on 14 June 2022.[38] On 2 November 2022, AirAsia Berhad sold the remaining 16.33% stake to Tata Sons. However, the AirAsia brand could still be used for twelve months.[39]

AirAsia India added the gender-neutral honorific Mx as a third option for passengers booking tickets from June 2022.[40]

On 19 May 2023, AIX Connect operated India's first commercial flight using indigenously produced sustainable aviation fuel from Pune to Delhi.[41]

Name change and merger with Air India Express

In June 2022, the Competition Commission of India approved Air India's proposal to acquire the 16.33% stake of Malaysian partner AirAsia Berhad in AirAsia India. Subsequently, Air India signed agreements in November 2022 to acquire AirAsia India and announced its plans to merge the carrier with Air India Express.[42] By an agreement with AirAsia Bhd, after its sale to the Tatas, the airline had to stop using the AirAsia branding by November 2023.[43] Hence, the airline changed its name to AIX Connect in December 2022.[44]

On 27 March 2023,[45] Air India integrated the reservations system and customer interface of its two low-cost subsidiary airlines - Air India Express and AirAsia India, in a move to consolidate its airline entities. The process largely involved Air India Express migrating to the systems used by AirAsia India. Passengers will now be able to make and manage bookings, and check-in to AirAsia India and Air India Express domestic and international flights, on an all-new integrated website.[46]

In July 2023, AIX Connect received regulatory approvals to operate its flights under the ‘Air India Express’ branding, effectively allowing the airline to operate, market, and distribute their flights as Air India Express.[43]

Air India entered into a codeshare pact with AIX Connect in September 2023, covering more than 100 flights a day on 21 routes.[47]

The aircraft of AIX Connect will be transferred to Air India Express Air Operator Certificate (AOC). In October 2023, VT-ATJ, an Airbus A320neo became the first to transfer into the Air India Express fleet after completing the DGCA’s CAP3100 process.[48]

Corporate affairs

AirAsia India is headquartered in Bangalore, India.[49] Prior to the airline's formation, Tony Fernandes, founder of AirAsia group, announced that he would like Ratan Tata to be the chairman of the airline; however the latter refused, though he later consented to be the chief advisor to the AirAsia India management board.[50] [51] On 15 May 2013, AirAsia India appointed management consultant Mittu Chandilya as CEO.[52] A month later, on 17 June, S. Ramadorai, the non-executive vice-chairman of Tata Consultancy Services, was appointed as the chairman of the airline.[53] In April 2016, Amar Abrol replaced Mittu Chandilya as the CEO of the airline.[54] In June 2018, Amar Abrol reportedly quit and in October 2018, AirAsia India announced that Sunil Bhaskaran had been appointed managing director and CEO of the airline.[55]

Former chairman of the Tata Group Cyrus Mistry alleged that there were corporate governance lapses between the two joint venture partners.[56]

Destinations

AIX Connect operates over 200 daily flights connecting 19 destinations across India.[57]

StateCityAirportNotesRefs
Andhra PradeshVisakhapatnamVisakhapatnam Airport[58]
AssamGuwahatiLokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport[59]
DelhiDelhiIndira Gandhi International Airport
GoaDabolimDabolim Airport
GujaratSuratSurat International Airport[60]
Jammu and KashmirSrinagarSrinagar Airport
JharkhandRanchiBirsa Munda Airport[61]
KarnatakaBangaloreKempegowda International Airport[62]
KeralaKochiCochin International Airport[63]
MaharashtraMumbaiChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport[64]
PunePune Airport[65]
ManipurImphalImphal Airport[66]
OdishaBhubaneswarBiju Patnaik Airport
RajasthanJaipurJaipur International Airport[67]
Tamil NaduChennaiChennai International Airport
TelanganaHyderabadRajiv Gandhi International Airport
Uttar PradeshLucknowChaudhary Charan Singh International Airport[68]
West BengalKolkataNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
SiliguriBagdogra Airport

Codeshare agreements

AIX Connect has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:[69]

Fleet

, AIX Connect (formerly known as AirAsia India) operates the following all-Airbus fleet:[70]

AIX Connect fleet
AircraftIn
service		OrdersPassengersNotes
Airbus A320-20023 - 180To be transferred to Air India Express[71]
Airbus A320neo1 - 186
Total24 -

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AirAsia India . ch-aviation . 24 December 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161230105047/http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/AKI . 30 December 2016 . dmy-all .
  2. Web site: JO 7340.2G Contractions . . 5 January 2017 . 6 August 2017 . 3-1-10 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170611035243/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340.2G_Bsc_dtd_1-5-17.pdf . 11 June 2017 . dmy-all .
  3. Web site: AIX Connect on ch-aviation.com . ch-aviation.com . 21 November 2023.
  4. Web site: Tata Sons FY 23 Annual Report.
  5. News: Sinha . Saurabh . Tatas rename AirAsia India as AIX Connect ahead of merger . 28 December 2022 . . 26 December 2022.
  6. News: 2 November 2023 . AirAsia India brand sunsets; stage set for mega AI Express soon . . 15 November 2023 .
  7. News: AirAsia India to take to the skies in Q4. MCIL Multimedia. 21 February 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130224014557/http://www.mysinchew.com/node/83205. 24 February 2013.
  8. News: Does Low Cost Mean High Risk?. 23 December 2007. 28 April 2010. The New York Times. Joshua. Kurlantzick. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141103045403/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/travel/23prac.html?ref=yourmoney. 3 November 2014.
  9. News: AirAsia to tie up with Tata Sons for new airline in India. The Times of India. 21 February 2013. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160427180944/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/AirAsia-to-tie-up-with-Tata-Sons-for-new-airline-in-India/articleshow/18601005.cms. 27 April 2016.
  10. News: Tata Sons, Telestra Tradeplace and Air Asia to form Air Asia India. The Economic Times. 20 February 2013. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161107021351/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/airasia-applies-for-indian-airline-jv-with-tata-sons-and-telestra-tradeplace/articleshow/18591201.cms. 7 November 2016.
  11. News: AirAsia incorporates company for Indian venture. 31 March 2013. The Times of India. 31 March 2013. Press Trust of India. New Delhi. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130331093540/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/AirAsia-incorporates-company-for-Indian-venture/articleshow/19303944.cms. 31 March 2013.
  12. News: Passengers' perceptions of low cost airlines and full service carriers. Cranfield University. 2005. 25 March 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170313190753/http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk:8080/handle/1826/1453. 13 March 2017.
  13. News: Tatas plan return flight with AirAsia on board. NDTV. 21 February 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130221104621/http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-tatas-plan-return-flight-with-airasia-on-board-318286. 21 February 2013.
  14. News: AirAsia's India foray good news; see more competition: KPMG. CNBC. 21 February 2013. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072548/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/airasias-india-foray-good-news-see-more-competition-kpmg_828265.html. 4 March 2016.
  15. News: FIPB approves AirAsia-Tata plan. The Hindu. 6 March 2013. 30 April 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130528022639/http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/fipb-approves-airasiatata-plan/article4481649.ece. 28 May 2013.
  16. News: Air Asia to make strong sales pitch, ties up with portals, agents. Business Standard. 23 February 2013. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308213202/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/air-asia-to-make-strong-sales-pitch-ties-up-with-portals-agents-113022200463_1.html. 8 March 2016.
  17. News: Air Asia, Tata Group JV seeks permission for aircraft leasing. The Indian Express. 3 March 2013. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130306002916/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-asia-tata-group-jv-seeks-permission-for-aircraft-leasing/1082462. 6 March 2013.
  18. News: AirAsia's India investment plan gets FIPB nod. Reuters. 6 March 2013. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150929000059/http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/06/airasia-india-tata-approval-idINDEE92505Y20130306. 29 September 2015.
  19. News: AirAsia incorporates Indian venture; files all papers with MCA. The Economic Times. 3 April 2013. 25 March 2016.
  20. News: FIPB to take up AirAsia India entry proposal on March 6. . 25 March 2016 . 22 February 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160105155308/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/fipb-to-take-up-air-asias-proposal-on-march-6/article4442588.ece . 5 January 2016 .
  21. News: AirAsia recruitment drive for India gets overwhelming response. The Economic Times. 14 April 2013. 25 March 2016.
  22. News: AirAsia India Proving Flights: Day 2. The Flying Engineer. 2 May 2015. 2 July 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150703031134/http://theflyingengineer.com/2014/05/02/airasia-india-proving-flights-day-2/. 3 July 2015.
  23. News: AirAsia India gets approval to fly. BBC News. 8 May 2014. 21 May 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140521234939/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27321138. 21 May 2014.
  24. News: AirAsia India launches and shifts base to Bengaluru. anna.aero. 18 June 2014. 5 September 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140626102754/http://www.anna.aero/2014/06/18/airasia-india-launches-shifts-base-bangalore/. 26 June 2014.
  25. News: AirAsia India Tickets on sale from today. NDTV. 30 May 2014. 30 May 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140529155640/http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-airasia-india-tickets-on-sale-from-friday-389821?pfrom=home-lateststories. 29 May 2014.
  26. Web site: AirAsia India announces maiden flight from Bangalore to Goa for Rs 990. CNN-IBN. 30 May 2014. 2 July 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150103213917/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/airasia-india-announces-maiden-flight-from-bangalore-to-goa-for-rs-990/475405-7.html. 3 January 2015.
  27. News: AirAsia looking for a third hub after Delhi. 21 May 2015. The Economic Times. 8 March 2016.
  28. News: ATata Sons increase AirAsia India stake to 41%. 18 August 2015. The Economic Times. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160827133722/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/tata-sons-increase-airasia-india-stake-to-41/articleshow/48474752.cms. 27 August 2016.
  29. News: Tata group ramps up stake in Air Asia. 18 August 2015. Ch-aviation. 8 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151019035820/http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/39578-tata-group-ramps-up-stake-in-airasia-india. 19 October 2015.
  30. Traffic Data July 2019. 19 July 2020. DGCA.
  31. Web site: AirAsia India Says No Plans to Look at Air India Stake. News18. 16 January 2018 . 17 January 2018.
  32. Web site: 14 July 2020. AirAsia India launches the 'RedSmart' App. 26 July 2020. MarTech Series. en-US.
  33. Web site: Olsen . Robert . Tony Fernandes's AirAsia Cuts Stake In India Joint Venture With $38 Million Sale To Tata Sons . 25 March 2021 . Forbes . en.
  34. Web site: Giriprakash . K. . AirAsia India: An airline at crossroads . 25 March 2021 . @businessline . 21 March 2021 . en.
  35. News: 8 October 2021 . Air India: Struggling national carrier sold to Tata Sons . en-GB . BBC News . 8 October 2021.
  36. News: Air India acquisition: What Tatas will get - Times of India . en . The Times of India . 8 October 2021.
  37. News: Phadnis . Arindam Maujmder & Aneesh . 27 April 2022 . Tata Group approaches CCI for merger between Air India and AirAsia India . Business Standard India . 28 June 2022.
  38. News: Team . BS Web . 14 June 2022 . CCI approves proposed acquisition of AirAsia India by Air India . Business Standard India . 28 June 2022.
  39. News: Tata Group brings AirAsia India under Air India's wings . 3 November 2022 . Mint . 3 November 2022.
  40. News: 9 June 2022 . Vistara, AirAsia add gender-neutral flight booking options . en-IN . The Hindu . 28 June 2022 . 0971-751X.
  41. News: 19 May 2023 . Pune-New Delhi flight takes off using indigenously produced sustainable aviation fuel . . 15 November 2023 .
  42. News: 2 November 2022 . Air India signs agreements to acquire AirAsia India; full integration with arm Air India Express expected by end of 2023 . ET Infra.com . 15 November 2023 .
  43. News: 25 September 2023 . How Air India is forging an interconnected future with group airlines . . 15 November 2023 .
  44. News: 26 December 2022 . Tatas rename AirAsia India as AIX Connect ahead of merger . . 15 November 2023 .
  45. News: 28 March 2023 . Air India integrates AirAsia India, Air India Express systems; nears consolidation completion . The Economic Times . 29 March 2023 . 0013-0389.
  46. Web site: AirAsia India . 12 May 2023 . AirAsia India . en.
  47. News: 25 September 2023 . Air India enters into codeshare pact with its subsidiary AIX Connect . . 15 November 2023 .
  48. News: 6 October 2023 . Air Asia India completes transfer of A320 VT-ATJ aircraft to Air India Express as part of fleet merger . . 15 November 2023 .
  49. News: AirAsia India shifts base to Bengaluru from Chennai. The Times of India. 25 March 2016. 30 May 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160427180938/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/AirAsia-India-to-shift-its-base-from-Chennai-to-Bangalore/articleshow/35777333.cms. 27 April 2016.
  50. News: AirAsia wants Ratan Tata to head JV. The Economic Times. 24 February 2013. 25 March 2016.
  51. News: Ratan Tata to be the chief advisor to AirAsia India. The Economic Times. 17 June 2013. 2 July 2015.
  52. News: Singapore based Mittu Chandilya appointed CEO of Air Asia India. The Economic Times. 15 May 2013. 2 July 2015.
  53. News: AirAsia India appoints TCS' S Ramadorai as Chairman. The Economic Times. 17 June 2013. 2 July 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180128190629/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/airasia-india-appoints-tcs-s-ramadorai-as-chairman/articleshow/20631365.cms. 28 January 2018.
  54. News: Meet Amar Abrol, AirAsia India's new CEO who is set to replace Chandilya. Hindustan Times. 18 March 2016. 12 May 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160522084836/http://www.hindustantimes.com/business/meet-amar-abrol-airasia-india-s-new-ceo-who-is-set-to-replace-chandilya/story-LeVWZgWyPP7BMi3VLQPnQO.html. 22 May 2016.
  55. News: Tata Steel veteran Sunil Bhaskaran to be new Air Asia India boss. Barman. Arijit. 11 October 2018. The Economic Times. Chowdhury. Anirban.
  56. Web site: AirAsia India's co-owner may just be running out of patience, cash. K.. Giriprakash. @businessline. 22 June 2020 .
  57. Web site: AirAsia India emerges No. 1 in On-Time Performance by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for January 2020 . newsroom.airasia.com . 20 February 2020 . 2 August 2020.
  58. News: AirAsia India to start Bangalore-Visakhapatnam service from 18 June 2015 . AirAsia India . 8 March 2016 . 25 March 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150722030707/http://www.airasia.com/in/en/promotion/rr1300508.page?icid=iae731hpmba . 22 July 2015 .
  59. News: AirAsia India set to launch flights from New Delhi. Business Standard. 20 April 2015. 20 April 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143236/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/airasia-india-rpt-india-set-to-launch-flights-from-new-delhi-115042001097_1.html. 27 April 2015.
  60. Web site: AirAsia India Returns to Surat. 12 January 2023.
  61. News: Air Asia launches Kolkata Ranchi. The Economic Times. 29 July 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170322022450/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/airasia-india-launches-flights-to-kolkata-ranchi/articleshow/57750351.cms?from=mdr. 22 March 2017.
  62. Web site: AirAsia India commences operations from Nagpur and Indore .
  63. News: Air Asia announces Kochi flights. NDTV. 17 June 2014. 8 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114158/http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-airasia-india-announces-bangalore-kochi-flights-for-rs-500-519546. 4 March 2016.
  64. Web site: AirAsia India announces Mumbai as its next destination and add 20th aircraft to its fleet — AirAsia Newsroom . 21 December 2018 . Newsroom.airasia.com . 3 November 2019.
  65. News: Airasia India launches services to Pune. The New Indian Express. 18 December 2014. 8 March 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151115200857/http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/Airasia-India-Launches-Services-to-Pune/2014/12/18/article2577454.ece. 15 November 2015.
  66. News: AirAsia Adds Another New Route, Fares Start at Rs. 1/Km. NDTV. 3 June 2015. 8 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172122/http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-airasia-adds-another-new-route-fares-start-at-rs-1-km-768421. 3 March 2016.
  67. Air Asia adds Jaipur and Chandigarh . 24 July 2014 . Air Asia . 8 March 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160320082005/http://www.airasia.com/in/en/press-releases/airasia-india-adds-jaipur-and-chandigarh-to-its-network.page . 20 March 2016.
  68. Web site: AirAsia India to Lucknow. 16 June 2022.
  69. Web site: AIR INDIA ADDS AIX CONNECT CODESHARE FROM AUGUST 2023. Aeroroutes. 11 August 2023.
  70. Web site: AIX Connect Fleet Details. planespotters.net. 22 November 2023.
  71. Web site: 6 October 2023 . Air Asia India completes transfer of A320 VT-ATJ aircraft to Air India Express as part of fleet merger . 6 October 2023 . Moneycontrol . en.

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