Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Star Air in Talks for $1 Billion Embraer E2 Jet Fleet Expansion
Star Air is negotiating a $1 billion deal to acquire up to 20 Embraer E2 jets, marking Embraer’s first direct E2 commercial order in India with deliveries from 2028.
This article summarizes reporting by Bloomberg and journalists Mihir Mishra and Siddharth Philip. And publicly available datas.
Star Air, recognized as India’s largest private regional carrier, is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire up to 20 aircraft from Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer SA. According to reporting by Bloomberg, the potential deal is valued at approximately $1 billion based on list prices, marking a significant potential breakthrough for Embraer in the competitive Indian aviation market.
If finalized, this acquisition would represent the first direct commercial order for Embraer’s new E2 generation jets by an Indian airline. The move signals a strategic shift for Star Air, which currently operates a fleet of leased Embraer aircraft, toward asset ownership and long-term capacity expansion.
According to sources familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg, the negotiations center on the Embraer E-Jet E2 family, specifically the E195-E2 or E190-E2 models. These aircraft are designed to bridge the gap between smaller turboprops and larger narrowbody jets like the Airbus A320, offering capacity for up to 146 passengers.
Industry reports indicate the deal is likely structured to include:
This potential order aligns with Star Air’s broader “Vision 2030” strategy. As reported by the Economic Times and other outlets in November 2025, the airline aims to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft by the end of the decade. Currently, the carrier operates an all-Embraer fleet consisting of 50-seater ERJ 145s and dual-class E175s.
The scale of this acquisition requires substantial capital, and Star Air has been actively strengthening its balance sheet to support such expansion. The airline is the aviation arm of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG), a diversified conglomerate with interests ranging from consumer products to energy.
In November 2025, Star Air successfully raised INR 150 crore (approximately $18 million) in a Series B funding round. This round attracted marquee investors, including Micro Labs Ltd and Deepak Agarwal. Furthermore, the airline has indicated plans to raise an additional INR 200 crore by the 2026-27 fiscal year to fund pre-delivery payments and operational scaling.
For Embraer, securing a firm order from Star Air would be a critical validation of its “Profit Hunter” marketing campaign in South Asia. While the manufacturer supplies aircraft to the Indian Air Force and the Border Security Force, it has historically struggled to break the commercial duopoly held by Airbus and Boeing in the region. To address this, Embraer opened a new corporate office in New Delhi in October 2025. This localized presence appears to be yielding results, as the manufacturer positions the E2 jet as the ideal solution for India’s regional connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik).
The Case for “Right-Sizing” in Indian Aviation
At AirPro News, we view this potential transaction as a pivotal moment for the concept of “right-sizing” in the Indian market. For years, Indian carriers have relied heavily on 180-seat Airbus A320s or Boeing 737s. While efficient on trunk routes (e.g., Delhi to Mumbai), these aircraft are often too large to operate profitably on thinner regional routes connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Conversely, turboprops like the ATR-72 are efficient but slower and lack the range for longer regional sectors. The Embraer E2 family sits in the middle, offering jet speeds and ranges with a seat capacity (100–146) that lowers the financial risk per flight. If Star Air proceeds with this order, it validates the business case that profitability in India is not solely about filling the largest possible plane, but about matching capacity to demand.
What is the value of the Star Air and Embraer deal?
The deal is estimated to be worth approximately $1 billion based on list prices, though final transaction prices are usually lower.
Which aircraft is Star Air buying?
The airline is considering the Embraer E-Jet E2 family, likely the E195-E2 or E190-E2 models. When will the new aircraft be delivered?
Deliveries are expected to begin in the fiscal year ending March 2028.
Is Star Air a public company?
No, Star Air is a private regional carrier and part of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group. However, it has raised external capital through Series B funding.
Star Air in Talks for $1 Billion Embraer Fleet Expansion
Details of the Proposed Acquisition
Deal Structure and Timeline
Financial Backing and Strategic Context
Embraer’s Push into India
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Photo Credit: Embraer E195-E2