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India's privately owned full-service carrier with a warm touch.
Founded
1993
Headquarters
New Delhi, India
Air Sahara was a privately owned Indian airline that operated as one of the country's major carriers during the 1990s and 2000s. Founded by the Sahara India Pariwar conglomerate, it offered scheduled domestic and limited international passenger services, competing with Indian Airlines and the emerging low-cost carriers of the era.
The airline went through significant financial difficulties in the mid-2000s and was eventually acquired by Jet Airways in 2007 after a protracted and complex acquisition process. Following the takeover, Air Sahara was rebranded as JetLite, a budget subsidiary of Jet Airways, effectively ending the Air Sahara brand.
At its peak, Air Sahara operated a mixed fleet of Boeing and Bombardier aircraft and served numerous domestic destinations across India. The airline was known for its relatively good service standards among Indian private carriers of its time.
Hubs & network
Air Sahara primarily operated from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
Fleet
Air Sahara operated a fleet that included Boeing 737 series aircraft and Bombardier CRJ regional jets at various points in its history.
Notable facts
- ›Air Sahara was founded by the Sahara India Pariwar conglomerate, led by Subrata Roy.
- ›Jet Airways acquired Air Sahara in 2007 for approximately 1,450 crore Indian rupees after a lengthy legal and financial dispute.
- ›Following the acquisition by Jet Airways, the airline was rebranded as JetLite in 2007.
- ›Air Sahara was one of the first private airlines in India to challenge the dominance of state-owned Indian Airlines.
- ›The acquisition deal between Jet Airways and Air Sahara was initially agreed in 2006 but faced court battles before completion in 2007.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
