GURUGRAM- Tata-owned low-cost subsidiary carrier of Air India (AI) Group, Air India Express (IX), is poised to bolster its international operations (especially in Southeast Asia) this winter in response to increasing festive travel demand.
The expansion will involve incorporating seven aircraft into its fleet. Specifically, the airline will receive five Airbus A320neo aircraft transferred from AIX Connect, previously known as AirAsia India (I5), according to FE sources.
Air India Express Eyes Southeast Asia
According to insiders, Air India Express will utilize these newly acquired aircraft in the West Asian sector, where it holds the position of being the largest operator from India.
These planes will be deployed on routes connecting India to West Asia during the upcoming festive and holiday season, as there is an expectation of high passenger demand on this route during the festive period.
Air India Express presently runs approximately 700 weekly flights between India and the Gulf region, operating a fleet of 26 aircraft. This development is noteworthy, especially given that other airlines are also planning to expand their international operations.
Air India Express is gearing up for a significant expansion in the Southeast Asia region in the upcoming months. Currently, the airline’s operations in this region are limited to flights connecting destinations in India to Singapore.
There’s a strong likelihood that the airline will soon initiate flights to various destinations in Thailand, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries.
New Branding
Air India Express and AirAsia India, both subsidiaries of the Tata-owned Air India, introduced a fresh, unified branding under the name ‘Air India Express.’ This unveiling occurred during a Mumbai Airport (BOM) ceremony featuring a new Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
Aloke Singh, the airline’s managing director, recently stated at an event in Mumbai that they plan to introduce 50 new aircraft over the next 15 months.
He also expressed the airline’s ambition to expand its fleet to approximately 170 narrow-body aircraft in the next five years, extending its network to encompass domestic routes within India and short-haul international markets.
“As we near the final stages of merging Air India Express and AirAsia India, we witness a transformation in the aviation landscape. We take great pride in presenting the new Air India Express brand, a crucial component of the new Air India Group, dedicated to offering the best value, accessibility, and domestic and regional connectivity to all Indians. Our goal is to be the airline of a new generation, fostering better connections among Indians and with the world,” said Campbell Wilson.
The airline’s new visual identity embraces an energetic and premium color scheme. Express Orange and Express Turquoise are primary colors, complemented by Express Tangerine and Express Ice Blue as secondary colors.
The dominant Express Orange symbolizes the brand’s values of enthusiasm and agility, reflecting quintessential Indian warmth. Express Turquoise embodies the brand’s traits of style, contemporary premium sensibility, and a digital-first approach.
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