STARLUX Airlines partners with INFORM to deploy AI-driven GroundStar suite for planning, staffing, and real-time ground operations

STARLUX Airlines selects INFORM GroundStar to scale ground operations with AI

INFORM has signed a strategic agreement with STARLUX Airlines to implement major components of the INFORM GroundStar software suite. GroundStar helps airlines, ground handlers, and airports plan, schedule, and run day-of-operations with AI-driven optimization to reduce disruptions. Training and workshops are underway as STARLUX prepares teams for the rollout.

What STARLUX is implementing

• GS Planning: Demand planning and scenario modeling for flight programs, resource needs, and service levels.
• GS WorkforcePlus: Shift and roster optimization with rules, preferences, skills, and compliance built in.
• GS RealTime: Day-of-operation process management and dynamic task allocation across the turn.
• Integrated line maintenance: Tighter coordination between ops and maintenance for faster, more reliable service.

Why this matters for operations leaders

STARLUX is scaling quickly and investing in systems that keep service reliable as complexity grows. "STARLUX is in a phase of strong growth, and we want to guide our employees to follow the path and train them on the new software systems at the same time," said Bruce Lee, Vice President IT Development Department, Information Technology Division of STARLUX.

"We selected INFORM for offering such a broad range of solutions capable of addressing diverse use cases and requirements within one integrated software suite. Also, we value INFORM's decades of international experience in delivering robust, industry-leading solutions," he added.

"We have been steadily expanding in Asia since our company INFORM Asia was founded in Singapore in 2022 and are now welcoming STARLUX to our growing number of customers," said Sebastian Zeitler, CEO of INFORM Asia. "We are proud and honored to help the airline maintain and strengthen its position as a leading provider in the growing and increasingly complex environment of the Asian aviation industry."

Operational impact to expect

• More accurate demand and shift plans that reflect flight schedules, connection banks, service times, skill constraints, and SLAs.
• Fair, compliant rosters that reduce overtime, fatigue, and last-minute changes while improving staff satisfaction.
• Real-time task allocation that reacts to delays, gate changes, and equipment issues to keep turns on schedule.
• Closer coordination with line maintenance to prevent ripple effects from deferrals and reduce return-to-gate risk.
• Improved on-time performance and resource utilization with clear ownership and visibility across the ramp and cabin services.
• Lower cost per turn through better utilization of people and equipment, fewer manual interventions, and fewer service failures.
• Data integrity and audit trails for compliance with standards such as A-CDM and IGOM, plus smoother reporting.

Practical rollout guidance

STARLUX has started training and workshops to prepare teams for the integration. If you are planning a similar deployment, these steps help keep momentum and reduce risk:

• Start with a pilot station or line; lock metrics upfront (OTP, delay minutes, SLA misses, overtime, cost per turn).
• Name a data owner to clean flight, resource, and skills data; poor inputs will limit results.
• Document rule sets early (union, fatigue, qualifications, turnaround standards) and validate with supervisors.
• Run shadow operations in GS RealTime before cutover; compare decisions and outcomes for a full week of traffic.
• Define exception playbooks (IROP codes, gate swaps, equipment outages) and test end-to-end with OCC and maintenance.
• Set up daily huddles post-go-live to review KPIs, re-tune rules, and capture frontline feedback.
• Integrate with DCS, AODB, and maintenance systems via APIs; automate wherever data is stable.

Industry context

AI-driven, constraint-based planning is becoming standard in high-density hubs and congested schedules. Frameworks like Airport Collaborative Decision Making improve predictability when paired with real-time tasking and shared data.

• EUROCONTROL: Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM)

Leveling up team capability

New tools only deliver if teams develop the skills to use them. For operations leaders building AI fluency and workflow automation, explore practical training resources.

• Complete AI Training: Courses by job

Bottom line: STARLUX's rollout of GroundStar brings forecasting, scheduling, and day-of control under one system. With disciplined change management and clear KPIs, operations teams can turn AI optimization into measurable gains in punctuality, reliability, and cost control.