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More than 60% of Indian regional airline passengers consider affordable ticket pricing the primary factor when selecting an airline, according to a survey conducted by Star Air among over 20,000 travellers across Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and other regional centres. The study also found strong demand for improved regional connectivity, with 88% of respondents highlighting the importance of links between smaller towns and metropolitan cities. While passengers rated airline staff positively for customer support, they identified punctuality, cabin cleanliness, comfort and service quality as key areas requiring improvement. The findings reflect the growing role of regional aviation in expanding air travel access across India's tier-2 and tier-3 cities while highlighting changing passenger expectations.
Affordable ticket pricing remains the most influential factor for Indian passengers choosing regional airlines, according to a survey released by regional carrier Star Air in the past week. Conducted among more than 20,000 travellers across Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and other regional centres, the survey examined passenger preferences, travel experiences and expectations as India's regional aviation network continues to expand.
Titled What Indian Travellers Want Most from Regional Airlines, the survey found that 60% of respondents considered fare affordability their primary consideration when booking flights. Other important factors influencing airline choice included convenient flight schedules, cited by 53% of respondents, proximity to airports at 47%, airline reputation at 43%, and recommendations from friends or family at 38%.
The findings also indicate that regional aviation is attracting a growing number of new passengers. Around 37% of those surveyed identified themselves as first-time or infrequent flyers, reflecting the increasing accessibility of air travel across tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Among these travellers, navigating airport terminals emerged as the biggest challenge, with 31% identifying airport navigation as their primary concern. Security procedures were cited by 26% of respondents, while 21% said the boarding process caused apprehension. Despite these concerns, the survey indicated that most passengers felt reassured by the assistance provided by airline staff during their journey.
Customer service received favourable feedback, with 77% of respondents rating the welcome and assistance provided by airline personnel as either "excellent" or "good". However, passengers also identified several operational improvements they would like to see. Nearly half of respondents, or 49%, called for better on-time performance, while 44% sought improvements in cleanliness and onboard comfort. A further 38% wanted friendlier staff interactions, while respondents also highlighted the importance of clearer communication and more efficient baggage handling.
The survey further highlighted growing demand for stronger regional air connectivity. Around 88% of respondents stated that connecting smaller towns and cities with major metropolitan centres was either "extremely" or "very important". The findings suggest that passengers increasingly view regional airlines as an important mode of transport supporting access to employment, education, healthcare and personal travel.
Passenger confidence in regional aviation also remained strong. Approximately 73% of respondents said they would definitely or probably recommend travelling on regional airlines to friends and family. Faster journey times, cited by 68% of respondents, and overall convenience, selected by 59%, were the principal reasons for choosing regional air travel over alternative modes of transport. In addition, 82% of those surveyed said regional airlines provide comfort while serving as an essential transport link for travellers from smaller towns.
Commenting on the findings, Star Air Chief Executive Officer Captain Simran Singh Tiwana said the survey reflected changing expectations among regional airline passengers and indicated that the company's objective extended beyond connecting destinations to making air travel more accessible, reliable and welcoming for communities across the country. He added that the airline remained focused on providing safe operations alongside an improved passenger experience as regional aviation continued to develop.
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