
AirAsia India, operating under IATA code I5 and ICAO code IAD with the callsign Red Knight, was an Indian low-cost carrier headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Established on 28 March 2013 as a joint venture between AirAsia Berhad of Malaysia, Tata Sons, and Telestra Tradeplace, the airline commenced commercial operations on 12 June 2014 with its inaugural flight from Bengaluru to Goa. The carrier's primary hub was Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru, with secondary bases in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
In December 2022, Tata Sons acquired the remaining shares held by AirAsia Berhad, taking full ownership of the airline. Following this acquisition, the carrier was rebranded as AIX Connect in preparation for its integration with Air India Express. The AirAsia India brand was officially retired on 31 October 2023, and all operations were merged into Air India Express on 1 October 2024. Today, flights previously operated under the I5 code are part of the Air India Express network under the IX code.
AirAsia India's journey spanned just over a decade, from its founding to its eventual merger into one of India's largest low-cost carriers. Below are the key milestones in the airline's history:
The airline's primary hub at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru served as its operational centre, complemented by bases in Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. AirAsia India's mission was to make air travel accessible and affordable for all Indians, embodying the Now Everyone Can Fly philosophy established by the AirAsia Group.
AirAsia India operated an all-Airbus narrow-body fleet throughout its history, maintaining two aircraft variants optimised for India's domestic market:
At its peak, the airline operated a fleet of approximately 33 aircraft. By the time of the merger with Air India Express in October 2024, the fleet had been streamlined to around 24 aircraft, comprising 23 Airbus A320-200s and one Airbus A320neo. All aircraft were maintained in accordance with DGCA safety standards and international aviation regulations, ensuring safe and reliable operations across the domestic network.
Following the merger, these aircraft were absorbed into the Air India Express fleet, which has since grown to over 88 aircraft with plans to surpass 100 units, combining Boeing 737s from Air India Express with the Airbus A320 family from the former AirAsia India operations.
AirAsia India operated exclusively within India's domestic market, connecting major cities and popular destinations across the country. The airline's most frequently served routes included:
For Malaysian travellers looking to explore India, Traveloka offers flights to key Indian destinations with convenient connections through Kuala Lumpur. Popular routes from Malaysia to India include:
While AirAsia India itself operated only domestic Indian routes, Malaysian travellers can reach these Indian cities via connecting flights on partner airlines or through the Air India Express network, which now serves both domestic and international routes including destinations across Southeast Asia, the Gulf, and beyond.
AirAsia India followed the AirAsia Group's low-cost model where checked baggage was not included in the base fare but could be pre-purchased at discounted rates. Below is a summary of the baggage policies that applied during the airline's operations:
Pre-booking baggage through Traveloka or the airline's website was significantly cheaper than purchasing excess baggage at the airport counter. Travellers were always encouraged to add their checked baggage at the time of booking to save on costs and avoid surprises at the airport.
AirAsia India's airport check-in counters operated with the following timings for domestic flights:
Passengers arriving after the counter closing time risked being denied boarding. During peak travel periods such as Diwali, Holi, Christmas, and school holidays, arriving earlier was strongly recommended due to longer queues at security screening and check-in counters.
After completing online check-in, passengers with checked baggage could proceed to the dedicated baggage drop counter at the airport, while those travelling with only cabin baggage could head directly to the security screening area and their departure gate. Online check-in allowed passengers to select their preferred seats and download a mobile boarding pass, streamlining the entire airport experience and saving valuable time.
AirAsia India operated a single economy class cabin across its entire fleet. The Airbus A320-200 was configured with 180 seats in a 3-3 layout, while the A320neo featured 186 seats in the same arrangement. Despite being a low-cost carrier, the airline offered comfortable seating suitable for India's domestic flights, which typically ranged from 1 to 3.5 hours in duration depending on the route.
Passengers seeking additional comfort could upgrade to Hot Seats, which were premium seats located in the front rows or emergency exit rows of the aircraft. Hot Seats provided extra legroom and came with priority boarding privileges. These seats were available for an additional fee during the booking process or at online check-in, subject to availability. Hot Seats were particularly popular among business travellers and taller passengers who valued the additional space.
As a low-cost carrier, meals were not included in the base fare on AirAsia India. However, the airline offered its Santan in-flight menu featuring a curated selection of Asian-inspired dishes and international favourites. Meals could be pre-booked online at a discount of up to 20 percent compared to on-board prices, and each pre-booked meal came with a complimentary drink. Popular menu items included Nasi Lemak, chicken rice with various sauces, pasta dishes, and a range of vegetarian options. All meals served on AirAsia India flights were halal-certified, ensuring they met dietary requirements for Muslim travellers.
AirAsia India did not offer built-in seatback entertainment screens on its aircraft. Passengers were encouraged to bring their own personal devices with pre-downloaded content such as movies, music, podcasts, and reading material for entertainment during the flight. The airline's cabin crew were trained to provide attentive, professional, and friendly service throughout the flight, ensuring a pleasant journey regardless of route length or travel purpose.
Pregnant passengers are strongly advised to consult their healthcare provider before booking and to carry all relevant medical documentation when travelling. Priority boarding was available upon request to help pregnant travellers settle in comfortably before other passengers boarded the aircraft.
AirAsia India provided dedicated services for passengers with reduced mobility, visual or hearing impairments, and other special needs. Available assistance included:
Passengers requiring special assistance or those travelling with medical equipment were advised to contact the airline at least 48 hours before departure to make the necessary arrangements and ensure a smooth travel experience.
AirAsia India did not operate a formal unaccompanied minor service with staff supervision. Children travelling without an adult companion were required to meet the age requirements listed above, and parents or guardians had to ensure that a responsible adult was available at the destination airport to receive the child upon arrival.
To reschedule an AirAsia India flight booked through Traveloka, passengers could follow these steps:
Rescheduling fees varied by fare type. Premium Flex and Value Pack fares offered reduced or completely waived rescheduling fees, while standard and promotional fares typically carried higher change fees. It was always more cost-effective to reschedule through Traveloka rather than contacting the airline directly.
AirAsia India's cancellation policy operated on a tiered fee structure based on the timing of the cancellation:
Non-refundable promotional fares could sometimes be converted into travel credit for use on future bookings. Refund processing typically took between 7 and 30 business days depending on the original payment method used at the time of booking. Passengers could track their refund status through the Traveloka app or website.
Booking AirAsia India flights through Traveloka provides Malaysian travellers with a seamless experience and multiple advantages for their journey to India:
Now that AirAsia India has completed its merger into Air India Express, Traveloka continues to offer flights on the Air India Express network, ensuring you can still reach all the destinations formerly served by AirAsia India with the same booking convenience, competitive pricing, and trusted customer support.
Whether you are flying to India for business meetings, a leisure holiday, or visiting family and friends, these practical tips will help you secure the best fares on Traveloka and save more on your travels:
Follow these simple steps to book your flight to India on Traveloka and enjoy a hassle-free booking experience from start to finish:
Save or take a screenshot of your e-ticket for easy reference at the airport. For any booking changes, cancellations, or travel queries, Traveloka's dedicated customer support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you.
Berikut adalah langkah-langkah untuk menempah tiket Air Asia India secara dalam talian:
Pembayaran untuk tiket Air Asia India boleh dibuat melalui pemindahan bank dan kad kredit.
Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai kaedah pembayaran yang tersedia, sila lawati halaman Kaedah Pembayaran.
E-tiket Air Asia India berfungsi sebagai bukti tempahan anda untuk penerbangan Air Asia India. Tunjukkan e-tiket anda di kaunter Air Asia India semasa daftar masuk (sama ada di lapangan terbang atau dalam talian) untuk mendapatkan pas masuk anda. Jika anda tidak menerima e-tiket dalam masa 60 minit selepas pembayaran, sila hubungi Khidmat Pelanggan Traveloka dengan segera.
Flight duration depends on your destination in India. Kuala Lumpur to Bengaluru takes approximately 4 hours, Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi takes around 5.5 hours, and Kuala Lumpur to Chennai takes about 3.5 hours. Check estimated flight times via Flight Status on Traveloka.
You can check your flight status directly on Traveloka via the Flight Status page. Enter your flight number or route to get real-time updates on departure times, delays, and gate information.


