Directorate General of Civil Aviation grants approval for AIX Connect-AI Express merger
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted the requisite regulatory approval for the merger of AIX Connect (AIXC), formerly known as AirAsia, into Air India Express (AIX).
Effective Tuesday, all aircraft of AIXC have been transferred seamlessly to the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of AIX, ensuring that operations of the new combined entity continue without disruption.
The merger entailed the integration of aircraft, pilots, cabin crew, engineers, operational control systems, aircraft maintenance, certification procedures, backend systems, vendors and a wide range of contracts.
Considering the safety challenges that arise during the merger of two running airline systems, the DGCA’s role has been pivotal in ensuring that all regulatory and safety requirements are meticulously complied with and effectively implemented.
Typically, such a transition would require grounding the fleet during the transfer of aircraft from one AOC to another—a process that could cause inconvenience to passengers and impose financial strain on the airlines.
To mitigate these challenges, the DGCA was proactively engaged with all stakeholders and initiated continuous extensive discussions aimed at creating a procedure that would ensure regulatory compliance.
In order to achieve the dual objectives of maintaining safety standards while simultaneously ensuring smooth transition without grounding of aircraft, the DGCA constituted a dedicated project team which coordinated the necessary actions to secure regulatory approvals in a time-bound manner.
The approval process for this merger involved reviewing organisational structures and approvals, ensuring a seamless transfer of aircraft and personnel, and safeguarding the safety of ongoing operations.
The merger also required the alignment of facilities, personnel, procedures, and fleet assets spread across multiple locations.
AIXC and AIX worked closely under the DGCA’s guidance to develop a unified set of processes, systems, and procedures.
Once the harmonised operating manuals were in place, both airlines followed common procedures and conducted the necessary bridge training for their personnel under the DGCA’s supervision.
After successful demonstration of the harmonised procedures, integrated manuals were approved by the DGCA. In addition, the organisational structure and mandatory post holders were reviewed and approved for the merged entity.
The DGCA also evaluated the personnel needs of the merged airline, ensuring that the workforce was appropriately trained and distributed to meet the demands of the expanded fleet, which is critical for maintaining safety and operational efficiency. The DGCA also reviewed aircraft lease agreements and insurance documentation to ensure compliance with both domestic and international aviation regulations.
