DGCA Approves Merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted regulatory approval for the merger of AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia, into Air India Express. Effective October 1, 2024, all AIX Connect aircraft will be transferred to Air India Express’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), ensuring seamless airline operations.
Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of Civil Aviation, stated, “The successful merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express sets a new benchmark for future airline consolidation, highlighting the importance of strategic regulatory oversight in the aviation industry.”
DGCA’s rigorous review ensured that the merger serves the public interest by fostering safe air operations and enhancing the overall travel experience for consumers. The insights gained will be valuable for the upcoming merger of Air India and Vistara.
The merger involved integrating aircraft, pilots, cabin crew, engineers, operational control systems, aircraft maintenance, certification procedures, and various contracts and backend systems. DGCA’s role was pivotal in ensuring all regulatory and safety requirements were met.
To avoid grounding the fleet during the transfer, DGCA engaged with stakeholders and created a procedure to ensure regulatory compliance. A dedicated project team coordinated actions to secure approvals in a time-bound manner.
DGCA reviewed organizational structures, personnel needs, aircraft lease agreements, and insurance documentation to ensure compliance with aviation regulations. A live tracker was created for real-time monitoring of progress, shared with senior airline management.
Post-merger, DGCA will closely monitor operations to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory conditions, safeguarding consumer interests and air safety in India.
Doubts Revealed
DGCA -: DGCA stands for Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It is the Indian government body responsible for regulating civil aviation, which includes making sure airplanes and airlines follow safety rules.
Merger -: A merger is when two companies combine to become one. In this case, AIX Connect and Air India Express are joining together to form a single airline.
AIX Connect -: AIX Connect is the new name for the airline that was formerly known as AirAsia India. It is an airline that operates flights within India.
Air India Express -: Air India Express is a low-cost airline that is part of the Air India group. It mainly operates flights to international destinations from India.
Air Operator Certificate -: An Air Operator Certificate is a license that an airline needs to operate flights. It shows that the airline meets all safety and regulatory requirements.
Regulatory compliance -: Regulatory compliance means following all the rules and laws set by authorities like the DGCA to ensure safety and proper operation of airlines.
Air India and Vistara merger -: Air India and Vistara are two different airlines in India. They are also planning to join together to become one bigger airline, similar to the AIX Connect and Air India Express merger.