Star Air (South Africa)

Star Air Cargo Pty Ltd, usually known simply as Star Air, is a South African airline that leases out passenger and cargo aircraft. Since 2019, Star Air has been owned by its fellow South African airline Comair.

Star Air
IATA ICAO Callsign
- BRH BRIGHTSTAR
Founded1996
Fleet size10
Parent companyComair Ltd
HeadquartersSouth Africa
Websitestarair.co.za

History

Star Air has been trading since 1996. It originally operated smaller aircraft, flying courier freight and small cargo for DHL Express (hence the Cargo name) and other companies contracted to fly for FedEx.

After starting to operate passenger flights, Star Air decided to move out of the smaller aircraft and to begin operating the Boeing 737, and started with their first 737-200 aircraft in 2007. Star Air has since negotiated leases with aircraft leasing companies for the newer generation 737-300 and 737-400 aircraft, to replace the 737-200s.

In June 2019, Star Air was acquired by Comair, who reportedly paid $5.14 million to acquire the airline and its repair division, Star Air Maintenance, and in December 2019 the acquisition was confirmed by the South African Competition Commission.[1]

Corporate affairs

Ownership and structure

Star Air is 100% owned by Comair Ltd.[1]

Star Air Maintenance Pty Ltd (SAM) is a subsidiary company of Star Air, and provides all the AOC’s maintenance requirements up to B checks. SAM also offers line maintenance to third parties, and is based and operates from a hangar in the Denel Aviation Campus facility, at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Business model

Star Air's main business is the leasing of aircraft on short and medium term wet and dry leases to scheduled airlines in the sub-Saharan African Region. According to their website, at various times they have had as customers Rwandair, Air Botswana, Air Malawi, Air Tanzania, LAM Mozambique Airlines, South African Express, Air Namibia and Mango Airlines (South Africa), amongst others.[2]

Fleet

Current fleet
A former Star Air Boeing 737-200 at OR Tambo International Airport in 2009

The Star Air fleet comprises the following aircraft (as of December 2019):[1]

Star Air fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Notes
Boeing 737-300 5 —
Boeing 737-300F 5 —
Total 10 —

Historical fleet

The airline fleet previously included the following aircraft (as of December 2011):[3]

References
  1. "South Africa's Comair Cleared To Merge With Star Air". Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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