New Delhi: Integration of Tata Airlines‘Portfolio will be launched from Tuesday at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)DGCA) approved the merger of AIX connect (AIXC) Air India Express (AEX) effective October 1. On 12th November, Vistara Will merge with Air India and then Tata will have full service Mega AI with AI Express as a low cost big arm.
“Effective October 1, 2024, all of AIXC’s aircraft have been seamlessly transferred to AIX’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), ensuring that the airline operations of the combined entity will continue to ensure a safe and smooth passenger experience. To continue without any interruption. The merger of AIXC and AIX was a complex effort involving aircraft, pilots, cabin crew, engineers, operational control systems, aircraft maintenance, certification processes, and the integration of a wide range of contracts, vendors, and backend systems. Considering the security challenges arising during the merger of two operational airline systems, DGCA’s role has been crucial in ensuring that all regulatory and security requirements are meticulously complied with, the DGCA said in a statement on Tuesday. And has been implemented effectively.
Typically, such changes require grounding the fleet during transfer of aircraft from one AOC to another, causing inconvenience to passengers and financial pressure on airlines. To prevent this, the regulator says it has “actively engaged with all stakeholders and has initiated ongoing wide-ranging discussions with the aim of creating a process that will ensure regulatory compliance.”
“The successful merger of AEXC and AEX sets a new standard for future airline consolidation, highlighting the importance of strategic regulatory oversight.” Aviation industryAIXC and AIX have demonstrated that this merger will create a more flexible and innovative airline, able to compete effectively in the global market,” DGCA Director General Vikram Dev Dutt said, adding, “Our rigorous review ensures that This merger will promote public interest. Safer air operations while improving the overall travel experience for consumers. The insights gained from this experience will prove valuable for the upcoming merger of Air India and Vistara, which is currently in progress.
To ensure a smooth transition without grounding of aircraft while maintaining the highest safety standards, DGCA constituted a dedicated project team which coordinated the necessary work to secure regulatory approvals in a timely manner. The approval process for this merger included reviewing organizational structures and approvals, ensuring a seamless transfer of aircraft and personnel, and protecting the security of ongoing operations.
The merger required the alignment of facilities, personnel, processes and fleet assets spread across multiple locations. The regulatory approval process was founded on five pillars: Harmonization of operating manuals and procedures; Review of organization structure and position holders; training requirements for flight and cabin crew, engineers and other personnel; Oversight and demonstration of harmonizing processes and training and finally, post-merger verification and continuous monitoring.
“After a thorough assessment, AIXC and AIX worked together under the guidance of DGCA to develop an integrated set of processes, systems and procedures that comply with regulations and incorporate efficient practices. This collaborative effort led to a higher level of standardization in the merged entity, resulting in increased safety margins,” the regulator said.
Once the Harmonized Operational Manual was in place, both the airlines operated under common procedures and conducted necessary bridge training for their personnel under the supervision of DGCA. After successful demonstration of harmonizing processes, the integrated manual was approved by DGCA. Additionally, the organizational structure and mandatory position holders for the merged entity were reviewed and approved.
“DGCA also evaluated the personnel needs of the merged airline, ensuring that the workforce was appropriately trained and distributed to meet the demands of the expanded fleet, while maintaining safety and operational efficiency. Is important for. The DGCA also reviewed aircraft lease agreements and insurance documents to ensure compliance with domestic and international aviation regulations, the statement said.
To ensure that the process remains on track, DGCA created a live tracker for real-time monitoring of the progress at a detailed level. This live tracker was shared by DGCA with the senior management of the airline as a convenient intervention tool to continuously review and assess the progress including timelines.
“DGCA will closely monitor the post-merger operations to ensure compliance with all regulatory stipulations, protect consumer interests and ensure the continued safety of air operations in India,” the statement said.
