STAR

STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) is a published flight procedure that provides a transition from the en-route airway structure to the initial approach fix (IAF) or a point from which an instrument approach can begin. STARs are the arrival counterpart of SIDs.

STARs typically include:

• Entry points from en-route airways
• Lateral and vertical path (altitude restrictions)
• Speed restrictions for traffic flow management
• Transition fixes connecting to specific instrument approaches

STARs help streamline traffic flow into busy terminal areas, reduce controller workload, and provide predictable routing for pilots. They are essential for managing high-density traffic at major airports.

Like SIDs, modern STARs are increasingly RNAV-based, and many incorporate continuous descent operations (CDO) for fuel savings and noise reduction.