NEW DELHI: The Air Asia India brand sunset on October 31, 2023, just less than a decade after it started flying on June 12, 2014. The Tata-AirAsia Berhad JV had a turbulent journey due to the alleged control by the Malaysian partner. Things started clearing up only when Tatas decided to buy out AirAsia’s stake and decided to merge it with Air India Express(which they acquired last January) to create a mega low cost carrier (LCC) as part of the AI family.These two LCCs’ merger has been approved by Competition Commission of India and is on track for this year end.
“The AirAsia India brand was sunset yesterday (Oct 31). Take a bow, all who worked hard to build the India franchise of this amazing brand, and represented what the brand stood for,” Aloke Singh said on SM Wednesday.
Singh, who heads Tata’s LCC wing and is MD of both AI Express and AirAsia India, gave a glimpse of what lies ahead: “A vibrant, new brand now takes its place, with ambitions of fulfilling the aspirations of a new India. As we enter a new phase of our integration and transformation journey, its a privilege to work alongside an extraordinarily talented set of people, across two organisations, achieving one milestone after another. To new beginnings!”
AirAsia India, which operated its maiden flight on June 12, 2014, was recently renamed IX Connect. Recently Singh had shared the vision the Tata Group has for the upcoming mega LCC — “providing seamless connections on Air India’s global network; a huge fleet; best in class value and warmth of Indian hospitality” with hot meals. For this mega LCC, 190 Boeing 737 MAX have already been ordered.
“Our resolute vision encapsulates our key differentiators – making meaningful connections, delivering unique experiences and providing best-in-class value with Indian warmth. Our ambitions will ride upon our huge fleet and network expansion, in the domestic India market as well as short-haul international region – Unlocking synergies with the merger of the two entities, and network integration with Air India; Growth and expansion, for a meaningful market presence as well as cost-efficiencies; and achieving excellence in all areas, becoming a preferred brand for a confident new India,” Singh had said this September.
“The AirAsia India brand was sunset yesterday (Oct 31). Take a bow, all who worked hard to build the India franchise of this amazing brand, and represented what the brand stood for,” Aloke Singh said on SM Wednesday.
Singh, who heads Tata’s LCC wing and is MD of both AI Express and AirAsia India, gave a glimpse of what lies ahead: “A vibrant, new brand now takes its place, with ambitions of fulfilling the aspirations of a new India. As we enter a new phase of our integration and transformation journey, its a privilege to work alongside an extraordinarily talented set of people, across two organisations, achieving one milestone after another. To new beginnings!”
AirAsia India, which operated its maiden flight on June 12, 2014, was recently renamed IX Connect. Recently Singh had shared the vision the Tata Group has for the upcoming mega LCC — “providing seamless connections on Air India’s global network; a huge fleet; best in class value and warmth of Indian hospitality” with hot meals. For this mega LCC, 190 Boeing 737 MAX have already been ordered.
“Our resolute vision encapsulates our key differentiators – making meaningful connections, delivering unique experiences and providing best-in-class value with Indian warmth. Our ambitions will ride upon our huge fleet and network expansion, in the domestic India market as well as short-haul international region – Unlocking synergies with the merger of the two entities, and network integration with Air India; Growth and expansion, for a meaningful market presence as well as cost-efficiencies; and achieving excellence in all areas, becoming a preferred brand for a confident new India,” Singh had said this September.
