Star Air launches Mumbai-Solapur flight under Maharashtra's UDAN scheme

After a gap of 16 years, direct flight connectivity between Solapur and Mumbai has resumed, marking a milestone for regional air travel in Maharashtra. The service was officially inaugurated on October 15 by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, bringing an end to the long wait since commercial flights were discontinued in 2009 following Kingfisher Airlines' exit.

The service is being operated by Star Air and marks Solapur's addition as the 31st destination in the airline’s domestic network. In addition to the Mumbai route, a direct flight from Solapur to Bengaluru has also been introduced, improving the city's connectivity to key economic hubs.

Star Air inaugurated the Mumbai-Solapur-Mumbai flight service under Maharashtra’s UDAN Scheme. Operated with the support of the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), the aviation arm of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group aims to bolster regional air connectivity and improve access within the state.

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The inaugural ceremony took place at Solapur Airport and was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, and Solapur District Guardian Minister Jaykumar Gore. The aircraft arriving from Mumbai was greeted with a water cannon salute.

The new route will operate four days a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, under the regional connectivity scheme. The service is expected to benefit business and leisure travellers and support regional economic growth. The flight S5 333 will depart Mumbai at 12.50 pm and arrive in Solapur at 2.10 pm. On its return, flight S5 334: will depart Solapur at 2.40 pm and arrive in Mumbai at 3.45 pm.

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The new service has been introduced with an introductory fare starting at ₹3,999. The launch will boost to trade, tourism, and business travel in the region. Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Star Air, expressed her enthusiasm about the new route, saying, "We are delighted to include Solapur in our expanding network. The route has been made possible thanks to strong support extended by the Maharashtra Government under its regional air connectivity initiative."

She added, "Solapur is a key centre for industry, education, and culture. This new service will reduce travel time significantly while strengthening business and tourism ties with Mumbai. With this addition, Star Air continues to expand its regional aviation network, providing passengers with a comfortable and seamless flying experience."

Tickets for the new service are available through the airline's official website and authorised travel partners.