What Star Air does

Star Air is a Bengaluru-headquartered regional airline that operates scheduled domestic flights across 32 destinations in India, with a strategic focus on underserved tier-2 and tier-3 cities under the government's UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme. Founded in 2017 and launched commercially in 2019, the airline is the aviation arm of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (Ghodawat Enterprises Pvt Ltd) and is described as India's largest regional airline by market share in regional connectivity. The airline operates a fleet of 12 Embraer E175 regional jets (76-88 seats) with plans to induct Embraer E190 aircraft (108 seats) and scale to 40-50 aircraft by 2030.

Star Air's core product is its scheduled passenger airline service, structured around five fare tiers—Star Regular, Star Flexi, and Star Comfort in economy, plus Business Regular and Business Flexi in business class—each with differentiated baggage allowances, meal inclusions, and change flexibility. The airline runs on the Crane Aero IBE reservation platform and was the first Indian carrier to deploy the Aviator Revenue Management system for dynamic pricing and seat inventory optimization. Ancillary revenue streams include excess baggage, seat selection, meals, cancellation fees, group bookings (minimum 7 passengers), and charter services. Distribution is multi-channel: direct website, 8+ airport counters, 24/7 call centre, authorized travel agents/OTAs, and group booking via dedicated desk.

The airline's business model combines transaction-based ticket sales with government-backed route economics. Under UDAN, fares are capped on 50% of seats, and state governments provide viability gap funding (e.g., Karnataka's Rs 28.47 crore for Kalaburagi/Bidar routes covering 80% of costs) to sustain commercially unviable regional corridors. Star Air has carried over 2 million passengers since launch, reported 92% on-time performance for May 2026, and is among the very few Indian carriers to report profitability alongside IndiGo. In November 2025, the company raised its maiden external capital—a Rs 150 crore Series B first tranche (planned Rs 350 crore total) from Micro Labs Limited and Bikaji Foods promoter Deepak Agarwal—marking a transition from fully founder-backed to externally funded as it pursues aggressive fleet and route expansion.

Name

Star Air

Legal name

Ghodawat Enterprises Private Limited

Website

https://starair.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Star Air is a Bengaluru-headquartered regional airline operating scheduled domestic flights across 32 Indian destinations, focused on underserved tier-2 and tier-3 cities under the government's UDAN scheme. It flies a 12-aircraft Embraer E175 fleet with multiple fare tiers and serves regional commuters, pilgrims, and business travellers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Airline Services

NAICS

Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (481111), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211)

SIC

Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Essential Air Service (EAS) & Subsidized Regional Operators (THABACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Service Airlines (Passenger + Belly Cargo Integrated) (THABAAAF), Corporate & VIP Group Charter Operators (THABADAD)

Keywords

• Regional airline services
• Scheduled domestic flights
• Air charter services
• Regional connectivity scheme
• Airline ticket booking

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Airline Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from selling passenger tickets across Economy and Business class cabins on regional routes. Star Air operates under the UDAN scheme with capped fares on half the seats. The airline generated approximately Rs 1,100 crore targeted revenue for FY26.
2. Ancillary Services: Revenue from excess baggage charges, priority services, seat selection fees, unaccompanied minor handling, change/cancellation fees, convenience fees on card payments, and catering purchases on board. Excess baggage charged at Rs 600/kg at airport, Rs 550/kg pre-booked online.
3. Group Bookings: Revenue from group travel bookings handled via [email protected], targeting pilgrimage groups, family visits, and corporate groups.
4. Charter Services: Star Air operates charter flights as part of its non-scheduled operations (NSOP) capability, providing additional revenue streams beyond regular scheduled services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Star Air operates scheduled domestic passenger flights connecting 32 underserved tier-2 and tier-3 cities across India, primarily under the government's UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme), using a fleet of Embraer E175 aircraft. The airline sells Economy and Business class seats across multiple fare tiers and offers ancillary services such as excess baggage, seat selection, and onboard meals. Star Air also operates charter flights and group booking services as part of its non-scheduled operations capability.

Product overview

Star Air is a Bengaluru-based regional airline owned by Ghodawat Enterprises Pvt Ltd (Sanjay Ghodawat Group) that operates scheduled commercial domestic flights across India. The airline operates a unified airline service organized around multiple fare tiers spanning economy (Star Regular, Star Flexi, Star Comfort) and business (Business Regular, Business Flexi) classes, all powered by a Embraer E175 fleet. Star Air's strategic focus is regional connectivity under India's UDAN scheme, targeting underserved and unserved tier-II and tier-III cities — a mission it summarizes as 'Connecting Real India.' The airline also offers dedicated charter/group travel services and has been expanding its network to 32 destinations with planned fleet growth to 40–50 aircraft by 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Star Air Scheduled Airline Service Star Air's core service: scheduled domestic passenger flights connecting 32 underserved tier-2 and tier-3 cities across India under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme. Operated using Embraer E175 aircraft (76-88 seats) with 2x2 seating configuration and no middle seats, serving passengers across Economy and Business class cabins with ancillary services including excess baggage, seat selection, and onboard meals.
• Star Air Charter Services Charter flight services for group travel, pilgrimage visits, family visits, and corporate requirements, provided as part of Star Air's non-scheduled operations (NSOP) capability. Customers can arrange dedicated charter flights via the [email protected] channel.
• Star Air Group Booking Specialized booking service for group travel with a minimum of 7 passengers, handling pilgrimage groups, family visits, and corporate group bookings. Customers contact Star Air via a dedicated email channel ([email protected]) to coordinate group reservations on scheduled services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Carried over 2 million passengers since 2019 launch
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Adani Group (Adani Airports)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Star Air is the launch/inaugural airline partner for Adani Group's new airport operations including Mundra Airport (June 2026) and Navi Mumbai International Airport (December 2025). As the only airline initially operating at these new airports, Star Air benefits from exclusive route access and airport infrastructure synergies with Adani's port and SEZ operations.
• EmbraercoreTechnology or IntegrationEmbraer is the exclusive aircraft supplier for Star Air's fleet. Star Air operates 12 Embraer E175 aircraft (76-88 seats) with plans to induct E190 variants (108 seats). Embraer also opened an India office in New Delhi in 2024 to support the partnership. Star Air is reportedly considering an order of up to 200 E-Jet E2 units and a potential $1 billion aircraft purchase.
• IndiGominorOthersIndiGo and Star Air operate at shared airports including Hindon, Navi Mumbai, Surat, and others. While primarily competitors, both airlines use common airport infrastructure and serve complementary routes at shared terminals.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation): India's largest airline by market share and the only other profitable Indian carrier. IndiGo overlaps with Star Air on regional and tier-2/tier-3 routes and competes for slots at shared airports including Hindon, Navi Mumbai, and Surat.
• SpiceJet: Listed Indian low-cost carrier operating domestic scheduled services with a regional footprint. Both carriers target price-sensitive domestic passengers and compete on overlapping regional routes, though SpiceJet has faced financial distress.
• Alliance Air: Government-owned regional subsidiary of Air India, operating scheduled flights under the UDAN scheme on small turboprop aircraft. The closest direct competitor to Star Air on UDAN-subsidised regional routes.

Broad incumbents

• Air India: Tata Group-owned full-service airline operating a wide domestic and international network. While focused on trunk routes, Air India's regional ambitions and slot access overlap with Star Air at major airports.

Emerging players

• Akasa Air: Bengaluru-based low-cost carrier launched in 2022 backed by Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. Competes with Star Air on select regional and trunk routes, and is among the loss-making Indian carriers Star Air outperforms on profitability.
• FLY91: Goa-based regional startup launched in 2023, operating Embraer ATR-72 aircraft on tier-2/tier-3 routes under UDAN. Directly comparable emerging regional peer with similar aircraft type and UDAN focus.
• IndiaOne Air: Bhubaneswar-based regional carrier operating small turboprops on underserved UDAN routes. Comparable as a niche regional competitor, though significantly smaller and narrower in fleet type.
• Jet Airways: Revived full-service carrier relaunching domestic scheduled services under new ownership. Once re-scaled, will compete with Star Air on regional and trunk routes from major Indian hubs.

Others

• Embraer: Aircraft OEM and Star Air's exclusive fleet supplier, having opened an India office in 2024 to support the partnership. Comparable as the enabling technology/infrastructure provider whose product roadmap is integral to Star Air's scaling thesis.
• Ghodawat Enterprises (Sanjay Ghodawat Group): Parent conglomerate of Star Air, a diversified Indian group with aviation, consumer goods, real estate, and other businesses. Relevant as the controlling shareholder and corporate backer for capital and operational decisions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OfficialStarAir
• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialStarAir

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Star Air