Air India Express: What you need to know about the new airline
The new Air India Express is the merged entity of Air India Express and AirAsia India, where these two airlines are the subsidiaries of Tata Group owned Air India.
On October 18, they launched a common, new brand identity as 'Air India Express' on a new Boeing B737-8 aircraft. Here's what you need to know about the new branding, color palette, and their aim to reach a fleet size of 170 aircraft in five years.
In January 2022, Air India Express, together with its parent company Air India, was successfully privatised, with ownership returning back to the Tata group that had initially founded Air India.
AirAsia India began its journey in 2013 as a joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited and has since grown to become one of the leading domestic airlines.
Air India Express is in the process of merging AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with itself, and the entity will be the low-cost carrier of the Tata Group.
Air India Express: New visual identity
- Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said, "The re-branding marks a new phase in our ambitious growth and transformation journey. With 50 aircraft set to be inducted into the fleet over the next 15 months, we double in size in a short span of time. Over the course of the next 5 years, we aim to grow to a fleet of about 170 narrow-body aircraft."
- Air India said in a release that, "The airline's new visual identity features an energetic and premium color palette of Express Orange and Express Turquoise with Express Tangerine and Express Ice Blue as secondary colors."
- The airline stated that the color orange has been chosen to showcase that the airline will portray enthusiasm and agility while reflecting Indian warmth. With turquoise color, Air India Express aims to signify a contemporary premium sensibility with a digital-first approach.
- Campbell Wilson, Chairperson of Air India Express, said, "With the merger of Air India Express and AirAsia India now in the final stages, we are also seeing the transformation of the aviation landscape."
- According to the airline, the livery of the first new Boeing 737-8 aircraft draws inspiration from the Bandhani textile design. "The airline's 'Patterns of India' theme encapsulates the spirit of the nation and shares its stories through a visual journey," Air India release said.
- The upcoming aircraft will also feature designs inspired by other traditional patterns, including Ajrakh, Patola, Kanjeevaram, Kalamkari, etc., visible in the tail art of Air India Express aircraft.
- For Air India Express, the new livery was unveiled with a new Boeing B737-8 aircraft which was flown from Hyderabad to Mumbai for the launch.
As part of its new strategy, Air India Express aims to be 'New India's Smart Connector,' and it's expanding its network.
The airline currently connects key cities in India with destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India Express currently flies to 44 destinations in India and abroad, and operates over 700 flights per week. The airline seeks to deliver cost-effective, reliable, and convenient flight services across India and internationally.