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The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has raised concerns over IndiGo Airlines' decision to implement a hiring freeze despite having a two-year preparatory period for new flight duty and rest period regulations. In a letter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), FIP urged the regulator to reconsider IndiGo's seasonal flight schedules, citing inadequate staffing that has led to significant flight cancellations and delays, particularly during the busy winter season. On December 3, only 19.7% of IndiGo flights were on time, with over 150 cancellations attributed to crew shortages. FIP criticized IndiGo's management for failing to adequately prepare for the new regulations, which include increased rest periods and reduced night landings, and highlighted that other airlines have managed to comply without disruption. The pilots' body called for the DGCA to ensure airlines demonstrate sufficient pilot availability before approving flight schedules. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 11 am ISTeznews.inIndiGo Airlines faced significant operational disruptions on Thursday, with at least 175 flights cancelled across India, exacerbating travel chaos at major airports. The cancellations stemmed from new government regulations aimed at enhancing crew safety, which complicated the airline's roster planning. Over the past three days, thousands of passengers have been left stranded, with Bengaluru airport reporting 73 cancellations, Delhi 30, and Hyderabad 68. The airline, which commands over 60% of the domestic market, attributed the issues to stricter flight duty time limits introduced by the aviation regulator to combat pilot fatigue. The Federation of Indian Pilots noted that IndiGo struggled to adjust its schedules in time for the new rules, which take effect on November 1. This crisis marks a significant setback for IndiGo, known for its punctuality, as it attempts to recalibrate its operations in the wake of these challenges. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 11 am ISTeznews.inFitch Ratings has upgraded India's GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal year to 7.4%, up from 6.9%, citing increased consumer spending and positive sentiment following recent GST reforms. The agency noted that GDP growth accelerated to 8.2% in the July-September quarter, compared to 7.8% in the previous quarter. Fitch highlighted that private consumer spending, bolstered by strong real income and the reduction of GST on over 375 items, is the primary growth driver. With consumer price inflation dropping to a record low of 0.3% in October, Fitch anticipates the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may implement one more policy rate cut in December, bringing it to 5.25%. However, growth is expected to slow to 6.4% in FY'27, with private investment anticipated to rise in the latter half of the next fiscal year as financial conditions improve. The RBI's monetary policy committee is set to review its policy on Friday. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 11 am ISTeznews.inFarmers in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh are facing severe financial distress as mandi prices for tomatoes plummet to ₹5-15 per kg, significantly below the normal ₹25-30 per kg, according to a report by Transworld Furtichem. The assessment highlights the devastating impact of the 2025 monsoon season, which brought erratic rainfall, leading to crop losses and nutrient leaching across major agricultural states. Production in Maharashtra's grape belts has dropped by 50%, with losses exceeding ₹3,500 crore, while banana prices have also fallen sharply due to Cyclone Montha. The prolonged rains have delayed land preparation for the rabi season, raising concerns over food security and inflation. In response, Transworld Furtichem has initiated targeted support interventions, including nutrient recovery kits and agronomic guidance, to help farmers recover and prepare for future planting. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 11 am ISTeznews.inOn December 4, 2025, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport faced significant disruptions as 73 IndiGo flights were cancelled, adding to the chaos from the previous day when at least 150 flights were grounded and numerous others delayed. This situation left thousands of passengers stranded, prompting long queues at ticketing kiosks as travelers sought to reschedule their flights. The airport's spokesperson confirmed the cancellations, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the airline and its customers. Amidst these travel woes, the Indian stock market showed positive movement, with the SENSEX rising by 113.97 points to close at 85,220.78, while the NIFTY gained 42.15 points, reaching 26,028.15. Additionally, crude oil prices increased by 10.00 to 5,366.00, gold rose by 385.00 to 128,217.00, and silver surged by 1,491.00 to 178,077.00. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 10 am ISTeznews.inNepal is in discussions with India regarding the supply of aviation fuel through a cross-border petroleum pipeline, with a meeting scheduled for next week in New Delhi. The delegation from Nepal, led by Joint Secretary Shivaram Pokhrel from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, will participate in the fifth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Working Group on Oil and Gas Cooperation, as confirmed by Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel. Currently, the government-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) imports petrol and diesel from the Indian Oil Corporation via pipeline, having utilized the Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline for diesel since 2017 and expanding to petrol in March 2025. This upcoming meeting aims to enhance cooperation in the energy sector between the two nations. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 10 am ISTeznews.inRajiv Gandhi International Airport has reported that up to 33 outbound IndiGo flights are expected to be cancelled on Thursday, alongside 35 incoming flights, following a series of disruptions. This comes after the airline cancelled 19 flights from Hyderabad on Wednesday, leading to significant passenger frustration. One traveler expressed their discontent on social media, detailing a 12-hour wait for a Pune flight with no updates from IndiGo. Another passenger described the situation as "total chaos," citing repeated delays and a lack of accommodation. The airport attributed the cancellations and delays to technology and operational issues within IndiGo, while assuring that overall operations at RGIA remain normal. Passengers have been advised to contact IndiGo’s customer service for the latest flight status updates. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 10 am ISTeznews.inUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has responded to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) recent 'C' rating of India's national accounts data, attributing it to an outdated base year rather than the quality of the statistics. In a parliamentary address, she explained that the rating reflects methodological weaknesses linked to the current base year of 2011-12, which the government plans to update to 2022-23 starting February 27, 2026. Despite the rating, the IMF projects India's economy will grow by 6.5%, and Sitharaman noted that the fund acknowledged the country's effective inflation management. Overall, India received a 'B' rating across various economic indicators, including inflation and government finance, indicating a generally positive assessment of its economic health. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 9 am ISTeznews.inChennai, Puducherry, and southern Tamil Nadu are expected to experience isolated heavy rain and thundershowers on Thursday, following a day of significant rainfall across the region. On Wednesday, Puducherry recorded an extraordinary 23 cm of rain, with Chennai's Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam receiving 22 cm and 15 cm, respectively. In Rayalaseema, Anantapur saw 22 cm of rain, while Kavali in Coastal Andhra Pradesh recorded 16 cm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that despite the weakening of a low-pressure system associated with the remnants of cyclone Ditwah, heavy rainfall is still anticipated in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next two days. Additionally, isolated heavy rain is forecasted for Kerala and South Interior Karnataka, with thunderstorms and lightning expected across the broader South Peninsula. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 9 am ISTeznews.inIndia's future economic growth relies on strategic alignment across various sectors, according to Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman of Bajaj Finserv Ltd. In a recent interview, he emphasized the need for coherence between customs duties, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, alongside state-level reforms in land, labor, power, and water. Bajaj highlighted the importance of a GST-like body to address Centre-State issues, noting that global tariff disruptions have undermined export confidence and investment decisions. While acknowledging early successes with FTAs, such as the UAE agreement, he pointed out the challenges in penetrating markets like Japan and Russia. He also discussed the significance of the new labor codes and the necessity for domestic capital to drive long-term growth. Bajaj urged the government to focus on policy alignment and infrastructure investment to foster a stable environment for foreign and domestic capital, ultimately enhancing India's economic landscape. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 9 pm IST