Twenty Non-resident Indians have come together to launch a new private airline in September, the North Star Aviation. The new airline will take to the skies connecting most major cities across India, including Jammu, Srinagar and Chandigarh.
Led by a former pilot of Indian Airlines, Captain Rajiv Jha revealed
that North Star will purchase the aircraft instead of taking the Airbus
320 or Boeing 737 on a wet or dry lease, explaining that this was a more
cost-effective model.
Now based in California, Capt. Jha had proposed the airline project
to NRIs in the US who were eager to participate in India’s growing aviation industry. USD 100 million was raised by the consortium in 1997 to start the airline.
60 to 70% of the company’s capital would be invested in purchasing the aircraft.
North Star will set international standards while maintaining competitive rates,
focussing on safety, punctuality, economy, comfort and courtesy. The company is currently on a recruitment drive in India.
