The Air India Group has completed the full integration of its two low-cost carriers, Air India Express Ltd and AIX Connect Pvt Ltd, after receiving final approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), including the transfer of air operator certificates. The merger consolidates AIX Connect Pvt Ltd, formerly AirAsia India—a joint venture between Tata Sons and AirAsia Bhd—into Air India Express. The integration involved harmonising operational manuals, transferring aircraft, and obtaining operational, safety, and maintenance approvals. DGCA Director General Vikram Dev Dutt highlighted the successful merger as a benchmark for airline integrations, emphasising the importance of a robust regulatory framework for India's rapidly growing aviation sector. He praised the collaborative efforts of the DGCA and the operator in achieving this milestone. Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson described the integration as a significant step in Air India’s Vihaan.ai transformation journey. He noted that the next phase will involve the merger of full-service carrier Vistara into Air India by November 12, with plans to create a comprehensive airline focused on long-haul international routes, while Air India Express will continue to target short-haul low-cost operations. The current fleet size of Air India Express stands at 88 aircraft, with nearly four new aircraft joining monthly. The fleet is projected to surpass 100 aircraft by the end of the current financial year, serving routes across India, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia. Tata Sons acquired Air India from the Indian government in January 2022 for ?18,000 crore as part of the airline’s privatisation. (ET)