BENGALURU- Indian regional carrier Star Air (S5) is one of several smaller airlines in the country, which primarily serves tier 2 cities from its three hubs in Belgaum, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The airline, based in the city of Bengaluru, operates only eight aircraft and flies to 22 destinations across the country.
To aid the operation of its small but efficient fleet, Star Air employs around 100 pilots. The airline is seen as a decent stepping stone for graduates from flying school who pursue their licenses without the aid of a cadet program. Star Air’s younger pilots usually go on to have successful careers at the likes of Air India and IndiGo.
Star Air Pilot Salary
JUNIOR FIRST OFFICERS
The junior first officers are freshers directly out of the flying schools in India and abroad. They have experience of flying enough to obtain their airline transport pilot licenses on aircraft like Cessna or Diamond but lack the required expertise to function at an airline. They are mentored by the airline for a few months before being promoted to the roles of first officers.
Star Air pays its first officers an estimated monthly salary of INR 1,00,000 per month or INR 12,00,000 per annum. This is approximately US$1,200 monthly or US$14,400 annually.
FIRST OFFICERS
The first officers are the airline’s more experienced cockpit crew and lie one level below the captains. As with any other airline, they assist the pilot in flying the aircraft by handling air traffic communication and providing input regarding a flight’s navigation. First officers generally have one to three years of experience.
Star Air first officers are paid a salary of roughly INR 3,00,000 per month or INR 36,00,000 per year. This translates to approximately US$3,600 monthly or US$43,200 in a year.
CAPTAINS
Star Air captains are responsible for flying the aircraft and managing their co-pilots and the cabin crew. They are in command of the plane but also back up a first officer’s calls regarding the technical aspects of a flight or the routing, for instance. As per the airline’s hierarchy, they are one level below the line-training captains.
Star pays its captains a salary of INR 5,00,000 per month or INR 60,00,000 per year. This figure, in terms of US dollars, translates to approximately US$5,800 each month or US$69,600 yearly.
LINE-TRAINING CAPTAINS
Star Air’s line-training captains are the senior-most category of cockpit crew. Besides doing the jobs that their captains pursue, they also overlook the training and transitioning process of the junior first officers to first officer roles. This crop of commanders is the most experienced at the airline and has over 7 years of experience.
The Star Air line-training captains receive a monthly salary of INR 7,50,000 per month or INR 90,00,000 per year. This is approximately US$8,700 per month or US$105,000 yearly.
At Star Air, no pilots are provided a minimum guarantee of flying hours and no allowances are made as per their flying hours, either. The base salary is paid to each and every pilot regardless of their rostering.
Note: The figures are approximate and we will be glad to get a message from anyone working with the airline or who has knowledge of the exact figures. You can contact us at [email protected].
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Benefits Star Air pilots enjoy
As a small airline with a closely knit circle of staff, the carrier values its employees. Star Air’s pilots enjoy the following set of benefits.
- INSURANCE BENEFITS – Star Air pilots are entitled to comprehensive medical insurance that ensures all costs, including consultations and medicines, are covered while at their operating bases or elsewhere. Their families are also entitled to a basic medical insurance policy, as with several corporates.
- RETIREMENTS – Star Air’s pilots are entitled to retirement benefits. While they already receive payments in provident funds, a number of other services are offered by the airline to help aviators plan for life afterward. This includes finance management courses as well as post-retirement roles within the airline.
- PAID HOLIDAYS – Star Air pilots are entitled to paid holidays in a calendar year as well as sick leaves. They even enjoy public holidays in line with the state they are based out of.
- LAYOVER ALLOWANCE – If Star Air pilots are required to layover away from their three operating bases, they receive a handsome allowance. This also prevails in the case of deadhead pilots when they are being repositioned to meet airline requirements.
- HOUSING ALLOWANCE – The Star Air pilots receive a housing allowance component which is part of their compensation structure. While the carrier does not explicitly provide accommodation, the housing allowance is a good tax benefit enjoyed by every employee.
- FREE FLIGHTS – Star Air pilots as well as their families are entitled to free travel on the airline’s flights within the network, subject to availability.
Aircraft flown by Star Air pilots
Star Air operates a fleet of only 8 airplanes, all of which are manufactured by Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer.
The carrier operates four Embraer ERJ145 LR planes and four Embraer E175. There are six more aircraft on order of the latter type.
Star Air Pilot FAQs
Star Air requires its pilots to be based in one of its three operating bases – Belgaum, Bengaluru, or Hyderabad.
Star Air pilots earn between INR 12,00,000 to INR 90,00,000 per year depending on their experience as well as seniority within the carrier.
Star Air operates a fleet of eight Embraer aircraft, with six more on order.
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