Star Air

About Star Air

Star Air operates as the aviation division of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG), a diversified Indian conglomerate founded by Sanjay Ghodawat in 1993. A mechanical engineer and licensed pilot, Mr. Ghodawat expanded his family's initial business ventures into a multi-industry group with interests in energy, education, retail, and more before entering the aviation sector. His son, Shrenik Ghodawat, serves as the airline's Managing Director. The airline was founded in March 2017 and commenced commercial operations in January 2019.

The carrier's business model centers on regional connectivity, specifically targeting underserved Tier-II and Tier-III cities in India under the government's UDAN scheme. This strategy focuses on routes with 1-to-2-hour flight times, aiming to compete with ground transportation like buses and railways rather than major airlines. Revenue is generated from the sale of passenger tickets and ancillary services for both scheduled flights and private charter services. The airline has reported profitability and aims to substantially grow its revenue by expanding its fleet and route network. To optimize earnings, Star Air utilizes a revenue management system to automate and maximize passenger revenue.

Based in Bengaluru, Star Air serves a domestic client base of leisure and business travelers seeking access to smaller cities. The airline operates from hubs in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Belagavi, flying to over 22 destinations across India. Its fleet consists entirely of Embraer aircraft, including the ERJ 145 and E175 models. Notably, with the induction of the E175, Star Air became the first airline to offer a business class product on UDAN routes, positioning itself as one of the few domestic carriers in India with a dual-class cabin configuration. In addition to fixed-wing aircraft, the company's fleet also includes Airbus H130 and H135 helicopters for charter services.