Air India Express
An Indian low-cost airline serving domestic routes and international connections between India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Air India Express is an Indian low-cost airline owned by the Air India Group and ultimately controlled by Tata Sons. Established in 2005 as a subsidiary of Air India, it was designed to serve price-sensitive travelers through a lower-cost, point-to-point operating model. Its original network emphasized links from southern India to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia, markets supported by substantial demand from overseas workers, visiting-friends-and-relatives travelers, and leisure passengers. The airline subsequently developed a broader domestic network with multiple operating bases across India. The brand occupies the low-cost position within the wider Air India portfolio. Air India operates as the group’s full-service international and domestic carrier, while Air India Express concentrates on relatively price-sensitive short- and medium-haul traffic and routes where low-cost competition is strong. The airline’s products generally emphasize basic economy transportation, optional services, and differentiated fare bundles, including hand-baggage-only fares. Most aircraft are configured with economy seating, and meals are generally available for purchase or on demand rather than being included as a standard full-service feature. Air India Express was initially headquartered in Delhi and moved its headquarters to Kochi in 2013. It later relocated its corporate headquarters to Gurgaon, where it shares a wider corporate environment with Air India. For many years, the airline operated a largely fixed fleet of 24 aircraft and did not undertake the same scale of modernization or expansion as larger international carriers. Despite operational constraints affecting the wider Air India system during the 2010s, Air India Express was described in the reference material as remaining profitable during that period. A major ownership change occurred on 8 October 2021, when Tata Sons acquired Air India, Air India Express, and a 50 percent interest in AISATS from the Government of India. The transaction brought Air India Express into the Tata Group’s aviation portfolio and made it part of Air India Limited. Tata subsequently reorganized its airline holdings. AirAsia India came under full Tata control and was rebranded AIX Connect, with the two low-cost operations intended to be consolidated. The merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express was completed on 1 October 2024, creating a larger low-cost platform within the Air India Group. The airline introduced a new visual identity on 18 October 2023, including a redesigned logo, refreshed livery, and a tail treatment drawing on Indian textile and indigenous-art motifs. Its fleet and operating platform also began expanding through aircraft transferred from the wider Air India order book and from AIX Connect. The reference material states that the combined airline had 88 aircraft at the time of the 2024 merger and planned to reach 100 aircraft by the end of that year. A longer-term plan called for a fleet of 170 aircraft within five years, although the precise current fleet remains subject to change. By January 2026, the reference material describes Air India Express as operating more than 500 flights per day to 45 domestic and 17 international destinations, with primary hubs at Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. International flying remains concentrated in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, while the domestic network supports the airline’s role as a broader Indian low-cost carrier. Air India Express also has codeshare and interline relationships involving Air India, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines. In 2025, the airline presented a new cabin interior and cabin-crew uniform, with a retrofit program for Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A320-family aircraft expected to continue through 2027.
History
Air India Express was launched on 29 April 2005 as a low-cost subsidiary of Air India. Its initial purpose was to capture point-to-point international demand from India, especially from southern Indian cities to destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The model differed from the more traditional full-service approach associated with Air India: the airline emphasized simpler operations, economy seating, lower fares, and ancillary revenue opportunities. Its passenger base included leisure travelers, migrant workers, and people visiting family members abroad. The airline was initially headquartered in Delhi and used multiple Indian operating bases rather than relying on a single concentrated hub. In 2013, its headquarters moved to Kochi, reflecting the importance of southern India to its original international network. During the 2010s, Air India faced significant financial and operational difficulties, while Air India Express continued to operate with a relatively stable fleet and was described in the reference material as remaining profitable. At the same time, the airline’s fleet remained fixed at approximately 24 aircraft for an extended period, limiting modernization and growth. On 8 October 2021, Tata Sons acquired Air India, Air India Express, and half of AISATS from the Government of India. The acquisition placed Air India Express within Tata’s reorganized aviation group and under Air India Limited. Tata later sought to simplify its airline holdings and build a distinct low-cost platform. AirAsia India came under full Tata control, was renamed AIX Connect, and was designated for integration with Air India Express. The two airlines began an integration process announced by Tata in 2023, while Air India Express also received a new brand identity on 18 October 2023. The rebrand replaced the earlier predominantly white aircraft appearance, which used red branding and individually themed Indian tail artwork, with a design using orange, turquoise, and grey. The new tail patterns continued to draw on Indian cultural and textile references. In late 2023, the corporate headquarters moved to Gurgaon. The AIX Connect and Air India Express merger was completed on 1 October 2024. At that point, the combined business reportedly had 88 aircraft and intended to reach 100 aircraft by the end of the year. The post-merger airline was intended to complement rather than duplicate Air India. Air India Express was assigned a low-cost role on domestic and international routes with strong leisure and price-sensitive demand, while Air India retained the group’s full-service positioning. The airline’s expansion also benefited from aircraft associated with a major Boeing order placed by Air India in 2023, including Boeing 737 MAX aircraft subsequently allocated to Air India Express. The airline stated a longer-term ambition to build a fleet of 170 aircraft within five years. In 2025, Air India Express presented a redesigned cabin and a new cabin-crew uniform. The new interior is centered on an all-economy layout, with a beige seat scheme and orange seats in selected front and exit-row positions. The retrofit program covers Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and Airbus A320-family aircraft transferred from Air India and AIX Connect, with completion expected by 2027. The airline’s service model includes multiple fare types, including hand-baggage-only options, and generally treats onboard meals as an optional purchase rather than a standard inclusion. The airline has also experienced two fatal landing accidents documented in the reference material. Flight 812 crashed at Mangalore in 2010 after overrunning the runway, killing 158 people. Flight 1344 overran the tabletop runway at Kozhikode in 2020, killing 21 people and injuring at least 167. These events are aviation safety incidents rather than evidence of a corporate scandal and are recorded separately from scandal classifications. By January 2026, the supplied reference describes Air India Express as operating more than 500 flights per day to 45 domestic and 17 international destinations, with Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai as primary hubs. Its international network remains concentrated in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The airline also maintains codeshare or interline relationships involving Air India, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines.
- 2025
New cabin interior and uniform are unveiled
[1]The airline introduced an updated economy cabin and a new cabin-crew uniform as part of its post-merger product refresh.
- 2024
AIX Connect merger is completed
[1]The merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express was completed on 1 October 2024.
- 2023
New brand identity is introduced
[1]Air India Express launched a new logo and aircraft livery using orange, turquoise, and grey along with culturally inspired tail artwork.
- 2021
Tata Sons acquires Air India Express
[1]Air India Express became part of the Tata Group after Tata Sons acquired Air India and its subsidiary businesses.
- 2020
Kozhikode Flight 1344 accident
[1]Flight 1344 overran the tabletop runway at Kozhikode and fell into a valley, resulting in 21 deaths and at least 167 injuries.
- 2013
Headquarters move to Kochi
[1]The airline relocated its headquarters from Delhi to Kochi.
- 2010
Mangalore Flight 812 accident
[1]Flight 812 overran the runway at Mangalore and crashed, killing 158 people.
- 2005
Air India Express is launched
[1]Air India launches Air India Express as a low-cost airline focused initially on routes from India to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented Indian low-cost airline focused on domestic flying and short- to medium-haul international routes, particularly between India and the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Passenger air transport · 2005
Low-cost scheduled passenger flights
Air India Express’s core offering is scheduled passenger transportation on domestic Indian routes and short- to medium-haul international services. The airline uses a low-cost, point-to-point model, with most aircraft configured for economy travel. Its network is designed for travelers who prioritize fare value and direct connectivity over a full-service onboard proposition.
International passenger flights · 2005
India–Middle East services
Flights linking Indian cities with destinations in the Middle East form one of Air India Express’s original and most important market segments. The services support leisure travel, family visits, and travel connected with overseas employment. The airline’s low-cost structure is suited to high-volume, price-sensitive demand on these routes.
Domestic passenger flights · 2005
Domestic Indian services
The airline operates domestic connections between Indian cities as part of its expanded post-merger network. Domestic flying supports the group’s low-cost market position and provides additional utilization for aircraft serving both regional Indian markets and international destinations.
Airline fares and ancillary services
Economy fare bundles
Air India Express sells different fare options for the same scheduled service, including hand-baggage-only fares. This structure allows passengers to select a lower base fare or add services according to their travel needs, consistent with the airline’s low-cost model.
Airline ancillary service
On-demand onboard meals
The airline generally does not include inflight meals as a standard feature of its low-cost economy product. Heated meals and other onboard food options can be purchased on demand, allowing the carrier to keep its basic fare structure separate from optional catering.
Aircraft cabin product · 2025
New economy cabin
Unveiled in 2025, the new cabin is designed around an all-economy 3-3 layout. It uses beige seats with orange seats in selected front and exit-row positions, along with armrests, tray tables, lighting, and charging ports. The retrofit is intended for Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A320-family aircraft transferred into the airline’s fleet.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025New cabin and uniform rollout
India · Middle East · Southeast Asia
Air India Express presented a new economy-focused cabin interior and a new uniform for cabin crew during its fleet and brand modernization program.
Outcome. The cabin retrofit was planned across relevant Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A320-family aircraft, with completion expected by 2027.
- 2023Air India Express brand relaunch
India · Middle East · Southeast Asia
The airline introduced a refreshed logo, livery, and visual system as part of its repositioning within the Tata-owned Air India Group. The design uses orange, turquoise, and grey and incorporates tail patterns influenced by Indian textiles and indigenous art.
Outcome. The relaunch established a clearer visual distinction for Air India Express as the group’s low-cost airline and supported the broader post-acquisition integration program.
Brand decisions
2025
Introduce a new economy cabinProduct launchBackground
The airline was expanding and integrating aircraft from Air India and AIX Connect while seeking a consistent low-cost customer proposition.
Action taken
Air India Express unveiled a new all-economy 3-3 cabin with updated seating, passenger amenities, and a revised cabin-crew uniform.
Aftermath
The new interior was scheduled for rollout across Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A320-family aircraft, with the retrofit expected to continue through 2027.
2023
Integrate AIX Connect with Air India ExpressM&ABackground
Tata Group sought to consolidate its airline holdings after obtaining full control of AirAsia India, which was renamed AIX Connect.
Action taken
Tata announced the integration of AIX Connect and Air India Express, with the low-cost operations intended to be combined after regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The merger was declared complete on 1 October 2024, consolidating the group’s low-cost airline platform under the Air India Express brand.
2023
Reposition the airline as the Air India Group’s low-cost carrierStrategyBackground
Following Tata’s acquisition of Air India, the group needed distinct roles for its full-service and low-cost airline brands.
Action taken
Air India Express was optimized for low-cost routes and for markets with strong leisure and price-sensitive demand, complementing rather than duplicating Air India.
Aftermath
The strategy was supported by a new brand identity, the AIX Connect merger, fleet expansion, and product modernization.
2021
Join the Tata Group aviation portfolioM&ABackground
The Government of India sold Air India and related businesses after years of difficulty in the state-owned airline system.
Action taken
Tata Sons acquired Air India, Air India Express, and a 50 percent interest in AISATS on 8 October 2021.
Aftermath
Air India Express became part of Air India Limited and was incorporated into Tata’s broader plan to reorganize and expand its airline businesses.
Transaction value. ₹180 billion (Acquisition completed 8 October 2021; reference material gives an equivalent of approximately ₹200 billion or US$2.1 billion in 2023 terms.)
Recent events
- 2025
Air India Express unveils a new cabin and cabin-crew uniform[1]
Product launch · Campaign
The airline introduced a new economy-focused cabin design and a new uniform for cabin crew. The cabin retrofit applies to Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A320-family aircraft entering or transferring into the fleet.
- 2024
AIX Connect merger with Air India Express is completed[1]
M&A
The merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express was declared complete, consolidating Tata’s low-cost airline operations under the Air India Express platform.
- 2023
Air India Express introduces a new brand identity[1]
Campaign · Other
The airline unveiled a redesigned logo and livery featuring orange, turquoise, and grey elements and tail artwork inspired by Indian textile and indigenous-art traditions.
- 2023
Tata Group announces integration of AirAsia India and Air India Express[1]
M&A
Following the rebranding of AirAsia India as AIX Connect, Tata announced the planned integration of the two low-cost airline businesses.
- 2021
Tata Sons acquires Air India and Air India Express[1]
M&A
Tata Sons completed its acquisition of Air India, Air India Express, and a 50 percent interest in AISATS, bringing the airline into the Tata Group’s aviation portfolio.
- 2020
Air India Express Flight 1344 runway excursion at Kozhikode[1]
Other
A Boeing 737-800 overran the tabletop runway at Kozhikode while landing and fell into a valley. Twenty-one people, including both pilots, died, and at least 167 passengers and crew members were injured.
- 2010
Air India Express Flight 812 crashes at Mangalore[1]
Other
A Boeing 737-800 operating from Dubai overran the runway while landing at Mangalore and crashed into a wooded valley. Of the 166 people aboard, 152 passengers and six crew members died; eight people survived.
Sources8 sources
- 1Air India Expressen.wikipedia.org
- 2Air India Express official websiteairindiaexpress.com
- 3印度塔塔集团收购印度航空finance.sina.com.cn
- 4Air India announces new international flights. Schedule, ticket prices herelivemint.com
- 5Air India Express launches direct service between Mangaluru and Ras Al Khaimahthehindu.com
- 6Air India Express Launches Jaipur–Dubai Flight Three Days a Week | Udaipur Kiranudaipurkiran.com
- 7Middle East crisis: 10 key developments UAE residents should know todaygulfnews.com
- 8US-Israel-Iran war: What UAE residents need to know today, Oct. 21, 2026gulfnews.com
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