Star Air (India) (S5, Belgaum) has taken delivery of its first aircraft, an E145, ahead of its proposed operational launch due next month. A second of the type is expected shortly.

The Managing Director of parent firm Sanjay Ghodawat Group, Shrenik Ghodawat, said the start-up would use Bangalore International as an operational base serving Hubli, Tirupati, Delhi (Ghaziabad), and Pune initially. The flights will be operated under the Indian government's UDAN regional connectivity scheme, he added.

It is recalled that during the most round of UDAN route allocations, Star Air was awarded rights to connect Hubli with each of Hindon, Pune, and Tirupati as well.

"What we aim for is to create the right balance between a common man's pocket and the expectation he holds from an airline. In due course of time, we aim to provide an all-jet engine fleet connecting new city pairs," Star Air chief executive officer Simran Singh Tiwana said in a statement.