Page 5 - Air India Express

Christmas Comes Early: Air India Express offering 30% discount on tickets

Last month, the airline announced that in the next one year, it is aiming to double its number of pilots

A-I Express cabin crew raise concerns about room sharing during layovers

Scores of cabin crew members of Air India Express have expressed concerns about the decision on room sharing during layovers, claiming that such a move poses various difficulties in getting uninterrupted rest before flight duty while the airline has said that room sharing is consistent with the market practice followed by many other carriers. Besides, cabin crew members have expressed concerns about curtailment of service contracts of some members as well as about assessment process at the airline, according to sources. Earlier, at profit-making Air India Express, which is in the process of merging loss-making AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with itself, a cabin crew was given a room at a five-star or a four-star hotel at outstations. Now, one room is shared by two cabin crew members. Currently, Air India Express and AIX Connect together have more than 5,500 employees and around 1,800 cabin crew members. The sources said that scores of cabin crew members have written to the ..

A-I expands domestic, global distribution networks with global partners

Air India on Monday said it has ramped up its domestic and international distribution networks with extended multi-year agreements with global distribution systems partners Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport. "The deals together enable travel agents, resellers, and corporations around the world to access Air India's seat inventory and fares. Air India's new expanded agreements with the GDS partners now include the delivery of New Distribution Capability (NDC) products that provide travellers benefits such as personalised pricing, attractive fare bundles, and new ancillaries," it said in a release. The agreements with Amadeus and Sabre have been expanded to include the domestic content as well as distribution and servicing of NDC content, it added. Tata Group took control of loss-making Air India in January last year and a transformation plan is underway at the airline.

Air India announces senior level appointments; Klaus Goersch new COO

Air India on Friday announced the appointment of Klaus Goersch as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, as well as various other senior level appointments. In the newly-created position at the airline, Goersch will oversee flight operations, engineering, ground operations, Integrated Operations Control and cabin crew functions. Air India said incumbent chief of operations R S Sandhu will transition to an advisory role. In a release, Air India said Goersch's role includes focus on the harmonisation of the four Tata airlines' operating procedures, the Airbus A350 entry-into-service programme and assisting the team establishing the carrier's new training academy. A licensed B777/787 pilot, he had served in similar positions in both British Airways and Air Canada. Air India has also announced the appointment of Manish Uppal, who transitioned from AirAsia India a few months ago, as Senior Vice President for flight operations. Besides, Henry Donohoe's corporate saf

Tata-owned Air India Express to double its pilot count in next one year

Air India Express is in the process of merging low-cost domestic carrier AirAsia India with itself, and last week unveiled its new brand identity

Air India Express will focus on routes with price-sensitive customers: MD

Air India's low-cost subsidiary Air India Express will focus on routes which have a higher component of price-sensitive customers and leisure travellers, airline's Managing Director Aloke Singh has said. Singh also said that Air India Express is not looking at spreading its capacity all over the country in the beginning and instead will first consolidate its presence on the existing routes. A subsidiary of Air India, Air India Express is in the process of merging low-cost domestic carrier AirAsia India with itself, and last week unveiled its new brand identity. Air India Group, comprising Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect and Vistara, is owned by the Tatas, which is also in the process of consolidating its airline business. As part of it, Vistara, which is a 51:49 joint venture airline between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, is also in the process of merging with AI India. "The focus of Air India Express will be on routes which have a higher component of leisure travelle

A-I Express unfurls new logo, livery; to induct 50 planes in 15 months

Air India Express said it has a fleet of 58 aircraft comprising 28 Boeing 737s and 28 Airbus A320s

A-I Express flight from Dubai makes emergency landing at Karachi airport

A Dubai-Amritsar flight made an emergency landing at Karachi airport on Saturday after an onboard guest had a sudden medical complication during the journey

A-I Express set to induct 50 new Boeing 737 MAX planes in next 15 months

Air India Express, which is in the process of merging AIX Connect with itself, plans to induct 50 new B737 MAX planes in the next 15 months as the Tata Group bolsters its aviation business. Besides, the combined entity of Air India Express, also the country's first international budget carrier, and AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India, will be launching its new brand on October 18. In a message to staff this week, Air India Express and AIX Connect Managing Director Aloke Singh said key milestones, including migration to a common reservations and check-in system, have been achieved in terms of integration of the two carriers. Currently, the combined entity has a fleet of 56 aircraft, including 26 B737, 2 B737 MAX, 5 A320 neo and 23 A320. "Over the next 15 months, a total of 50 new B737 MAX aircraft will join the LCC fleet, allowing us to grow our network to new destinations and increase flights on existing routes," Singh said in the message. According to him, the focus is n

Air Asia transfers first A320 plane to Air India Express, says Wilson

AirAsia India and Air India Express currently have 28 and 26 planes in their respective fleets

AI Express flight to Dubai diverted to Kannur due to fire warning light

A Dubai-bound Air India Express flight from Karipur international airport here was diverted to Kannur on Wednesday around an hour after take-off following the pilot noticing a fire warning light in the aircraft's cargo hold, airport sources said. The flight -- IX 345 -- with 176 people, including the crew, onboard landed safely at Kannur around 11 am and all the passengers are fine, the source said. The aircraft had taken off from Karipur airport at 9.53 am and an hour into the flight, the pilot noticed the warning light and decided to divert to Kannur, it added. Air India Express said the warning light was a false alarm. "Following a false alarm, our Kozhikode-Dubai flight has been diverted to Kannur. An alternative flight is being arranged to continue the scheduled operations to Dubai from Kannur. "Air India Express regrets the delay and inconvenience caused to guests and provided food and refreshments," an airline spokesperson said. An Air India Express flight from Sharjah whi

Notice period only justified if airline invested in training: Air India CEO

The comment comes at a time when India's youngest carrier Akasa Air has taken legal action against its 43 former Boeing 737 pilots who resigned without serving the notice period of six months

Tata airlines: Air India Express, AirAsia India commence interline bookings

Air India Express and AirAsia India have commenced interline bookings, as part of an agreement between the two Tata Group airlines, to enable customers have a seamless travel on their entire domestic and international network amid the ongoing merger process. Under the arrangement, customers can now book a single itinerary for both airlines, including a single PNR (Passenger Name Record) on the common website and other OTAs (Online Travel Agents) and travel partners, a joint statement by the two airlines said on Monday. Budget carrier AirAsia India, which has been rechristened as AIX Connect, flies on domestic routes, while Air India Express operates on overseas routes. AIX Connect is in the process of integrating and merging with Air India Express. Along with a single PNR facility, the passenger will also receive a single boarding pass at the departing airport when undertaking a domestic journey on AirAsia India flight and a connecting international flight with Air India Express, a

Domestic, short-haul international: A-I Express unveils vision after merger

AirAsia India operates only domestic flights while 95 per cent of Air India Express's flights are between India and the Gulf region

Dubai bound Air India express flight delayed by several hours due to glitch

An Air India Express flight to Dubai from Karipur International airport here was delayed by over five hours on Sunday due to a technical snag, an airline source said. The flight -- IX 345 -- with around 180 passengers was scheduled to take off at around 8.30 AM, the source said. However, the passengers were still waiting at the airport at 2.40 PM to resume their journey, according to an airport official. The official said the passengers were being taken care of at the airport itself and were provided refreshments while they waited. They will resume their journey in the same plane, but only till Thiruvananthapuram from where the passengers will board a different aircraft to fly to Dubai, the airline source said.

AIX Connect, Air India Express announce harmonised grades ahead of merger

Air India Express and AIX Connect on Friday announced new harmonised grades, compensation and benefits for the two companies ahead of their merger. The new structure streamlines grades and career pathways, enabling greater transparency and career progression opportunities for all employees, and is aligned with the recently rolled out structure and grades at Air India, a statement said. The new compensation for the two carriers marks a significant step forward, ensuring that the remuneration and benefits offered by the airlines are market-competitive, it said. The two airlines, the statement said, are focused on attracting and retaining the best talent across functions. Tata group has announced the merger of low-cost airline AIX Connect with Air India Express.

Air India Express flight makes landing at Kochi shortly after takeoff

An Air India Express flight from Kochi to Sharjah made a precautionary landing at the airport here on August 2 night after a passenger reported a suspected burning smell shortly after takeoff, an airline source said on Thursday. According to the source, soon after the takeoff of the aircraft from the Cochin International Airport, a guest reported some kind of suspected burning smell. As somebody had reported a burning smell inside the aircraft, as a precautionary measure it was decided to turn back. The aircraft, after landing at the airport late Wednesday night, was inspected, and nothing amiss was found, it said. The Air India Express arranged another aircraft, which left for Sharjah on a delayed basis carrying around 175 passengers.

AirAsia India gets nod to operate under 'Air India Express' brand

The process to change the livery of AirAsia India's 27 aircraft to match Air India Express' aircraft is under progress, according to media reports

AIX Connect gets regulatory nod to operate flights under Air India Express

Air India subsidiary AIX Connect has received regulatory approval to operate its flights under 'Air India Express' brand name. AIX Connect, earlier known as AirAsia India, is being merged with Air India Express as Tata Group is consolidating its airline business. Air India and Vistara, a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines, are also part of the group. According to a statement on Thursday, the approval from the regulator allows both Air India Express Ltd and AIX Connect flights to be marketed, distributed and operated under a common brand name 'Air India Express', prior to the subsequent scheduled legal merger of the two entities. This development marks a significant fast-tracking of the integration efforts, including harmonisation of customer touch points, products, and services across both airlines, it added. Currently, Air India Express connects 20 domestic destinations and 14 international destinations while AIX Connect serves 19 domestic destinations. The propo

As Tata reimagines Air India brand, its Maharaja mascot may become history

FutureBrand, a London-based design and branding consultancy firm will rework Air India's identity as the carrier aspires to compete against Emirates and Singapore Airlines