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Air India Express (AIX), under the Tata Group, is set to expand its domestic and international routes significantly in 2026, bolstered by a growing fleet. The airline plans to introduce services to Vietnam and enhance its Middle Eastern operations, with increased frequencies to 13 destinations in the region. Following the addition of 12 new destinations in 2025, AIX now operates over 500 daily flights to more than 60 locations, including the recently launched Navi Mumbai. The airline is focusing on travel trends like spiritual tourism, exemplified by its new route between Varanasi and Bangkok. AIX's fleet surpassed 100 aircraft in 2025, including retrofitted Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A321neo models. Managing Director Aloke Singh highlighted 2025 as a transformative year, emphasizing improvements in performance metrics and a balanced network catering to younger, experience-seeking travelers. The airline's strategy prioritizes depth of operations over mere expansion. 
Published: Jan 13 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIn a bid to intensify pressure on Tehran amid its crackdown on anti-government protests, US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on countries conducting business with Iran. However, Indian government sources indicate that the impact on India is expected to be minimal, as trade with Iran is already low, amounting to just $1.6 billion last year, or 0.15% of India's total trade. New Delhi is seeking clarification on whether the tariffs will affect humanitarian trade, which currently includes food and pharmaceuticals. Indian exporters, primarily of basmati rice and tea, are hopeful for exemptions but remain cautious due to the lack of formal notification regarding the tariffs. The re-imposition of US tariffs poses additional challenges for the Indian basmati sector, which has already been navigating trade through the UAE to mitigate risks associated with sanctions.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 10 pmeznews.inEmbraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, is exploring the establishment of a final assembly line for its E1 and E2 jets in India, with Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh emerging as key contenders. Currently, 50 Embraer aircraft of 11 types are operational in India, primarily serving airlines, charter companies, and defence forces. Discussions are ongoing with the Adani Group regarding the project, with potential sites including Dholera in Gujarat and Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh. Gujarat is positioning itself as an aerospace hub, bolstered by the upcoming Airbus C295 assembly line and a planned international airport in Dholera, expected to be operational by mid-2026. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is actively promoting Bhogapuram as an aerospace and MRO hub, emphasizing land availability and skilled workforce. However, industry experts caution that a skilled workforce and substantial commercial orders are essential for the feasibility of any new manufacturing site.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe World Bank has projected India's growth rate for the fiscal year 2025-26 at 7.2%, slightly below the government's estimate of 7.4%. For the following fiscal year, growth is expected to slow to 6.5%, primarily due to the impact of 50% import tariffs imposed by the United States. Despite these tariffs, the Bank noted that stronger domestic demand would help offset negative effects, with growth anticipated to rise to 6.6% in FY2027-28, driven by robust services and a recovery in exports. Globally, growth is expected to remain steady, easing to 2.6% in 2026 before rising to 2.7% in 2027, aided by easing financial conditions and fiscal expansion. However, the report warns that without significant reforms in investment and trade, economic dynamism may falter, risking stagnation and widening income gaps between developing and advanced economies.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 8 pmeznews.inTobacco Board Chairman Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu has raised concerns over the challenges facing Indian tobacco farmers amid fierce competition from countries like Zimbabwe and Tanzania, coupled with an influx of cheap, smuggled cigarettes. Farmers are urging the Union Government to reduce high taxes, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and excise duties, which have inflated cigarette prices by up to 75%. Chidipothu, who empathizes with the farmers, plans to present their demands to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting that steep tax increases could drive consumers to illicit alternatives, undermining public health and national revenue. He noted that the reintroduction of excise duties has caused significant hardship, with legal cigarette packs costing around ₹340 compared to smuggled ones at ₹50. Additionally, he warned that high domestic prices could diminish India's export competitiveness in the global market.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant advancement for India's logistics sector, GMR Aero Cargo & Logistics has launched the country's first airside reefer truck at Hyderabad Airport. This innovative vehicle, designed with a 10-tonne payload capacity, ensures the integrity of the cold chain during the critical transfer of temperature-sensitive cargo between the cargo terminal and aircraft. It maintains a temperature range of +2°C to +25°C, accommodating a variety of products, including pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, seafood, and dairy. This initiative addresses the longstanding challenge of temperature exposure during ramp transfers, enhancing the transportation of perishables and pharmaceuticals. Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GHIAL, emphasized that this development sets new standards in logistics and underscores India's growing prominence as a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and perishable goods.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced the establishment of a high-level committee to formulate guidelines for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS). Headed by M S Sahoo, former Chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, the committee aims to enhance retirement income security for subscribers, aligning with the PFRDA Act and the vision of a financially independent India by 2047. Its responsibilities include defining key terms such as lock-in periods, withdrawal limits, and pricing mechanisms, while also ensuring a smooth transition from the accumulation to the payout phase. The committee will explore innovative settlement concepts, establish risk management protocols, and develop standardized disclosure frameworks to prevent mis-selling and manage subscriber expectations regarding market-based guarantees. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving the NPS framework and ensuring financial dignity for citizens in their retirement years.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Securities Transaction Tax (STT), introduced in 2004 to curb tax evasion on capital gains, is facing a significant shortfall in collections, with figures reaching approximately ₹44,500 crore as of January 11. Analysts warn that if current trends continue, the revenue may fall short of the Budget's target of over ₹33,400 crore within the remaining 79 days, a situation not seen since FY20. Factors contributing to this decline include regulatory tightening in Futures and Options (F&O) trading and a cautious investor sentiment amid global economic volatility. Experts note that the recent STT rate hike and stricter regulations have dampened trading volumes, while geopolitical tensions have shifted investor focus towards safer assets like gold and silver. As a result, the ambitious budgetary targets, based on previous strong STT collections, may require reassessment in the upcoming Budget to address the widening gap in expected versus actual revenues.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inSoymeal processors are experiencing a rise in demand from poultry feed manufacturers, despite ongoing concerns regarding the increasing use of cheaper Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production. According to the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), soymeal offtake from the feed sector remained stable at 5 lakh tonnes in December, although total offtake for the October-December period of the 2025-26 oil year decreased to 16 lakh tonnes from 17 lakh tonnes the previous year. Production also fell slightly to 23.67 lakh tonnes, with market arrivals down to 43 lakh tonnes. Exports during this period were marginally lower at 5.07 lakh tonnes, with European countries like France and Germany leading demand. SOPA has projected soybean production for the 2025-26 oil year at 105.36 lakh tonnes.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 5 pmeznews.inIndia and the European Union (EU) are in the final stages of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which, if finalised, will mark India's 19th trade deal. This agreement aims to enhance India's exports to the 27-nation bloc, particularly in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and technology, by reducing or eliminating tariffs that currently hinder competitiveness. The FTA is seen as a strategic move to diversify India's export markets and lessen reliance on China, especially in light of high tariffs imposed by the US. Bilateral trade between India and the EU reached $136.53 billion in 2024-25, with the EU accounting for 17% of India's total exports. The negotiations, which began in 2007 but faced multiple setbacks, were revitalised in 2022, focusing on trade, investment protection, and geographical indications. The EU, with a GDP of $19.5 trillion, remains a significant global trade partner for India, which exported $437 billion in goods in 2024-25.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 3 pm
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