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Air India cautioned over unchecked escape slides on Airbus planes

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a warning to Air India for serious safety violations, including delayed checks on emergency equipment and outdated paperwork. An investigation revealed that three Airbus planes operated despite overdue inspections on critical escape slides, with one inspection delayed by over a month. The DGCA noted that Air India failed to respond promptly to identified deficiencies, highlighting a lack of procedural control. The regulator's report, sent to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, emphasized that aircraft missing mandatory checks had their airworthiness certificates suspended. This warning comes in the wake of a tragic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787-8, which killed 241 people, although the two incidents are not directly linked. Air India, recently acquired by the Tata Group, stated it is expediting maintenance record verification to address these issues. sources

Published:
Jun 20 2025, 9 am

Hindustan Aeronautics wins bid for India's satellite launch privatization

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has secured a significant contract to privately manufacture India's Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV), marking a pivotal moment in the country's efforts to privatize its burgeoning space industry. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) announced that HAL's winning bid was 5.11 billion rupees (approximately $59 million), with a technology transfer phase expected to last two years. This decision follows a competitive bidding process involving three consortiums, including Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics. HAL's victory allows it to independently build, own, and commercialize SSLV launches, capable of carrying payloads of up to 500kg to low-Earth orbit. The move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to expand India's space sector, which currently represents only 2% of the global space economy, aiming for a fivefold increase to $44 billion by 2030. Following the announcement, HAL's shares rose by 1.6%. sources

Published:
Jun 20 2025, 3 pm

Iran-Israel Conflict: Rising Freight Costs and Insurance Risks Ahead

The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has so far had a limited impact on global trade, particularly for Indian industries, according to Crisil Ratings. However, prolonged uncertainties could lead to increased freight rates and insurance premiums, affecting export and import sectors. The conflict has already influenced global crude oil markets, with Brent prices rising to $73-76 per barrel, up from an average of $65 during April-May 2025. While this remains below the fiscal 2025 average of $78, any escalation could further spike prices, impacting profitability across various sectors. Upstream oil companies may benefit from higher prices, while downstream refiners could face squeezed margins due to rising input costs. Notably, despite historical tensions, Iran has refrained from fully closing the Strait of Hormuz, as such an action would be economically detrimental and risk severe retaliation, according to Yes Securities. sources

Published:
Jun 20 2025, 2 pm

Sivasubramanian Ramann appointed PFRDA Chairperson

Sivasubramanian Ramann has officially assumed the role of Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), with a tenure lasting five years or until he reaches the age of 65. Ramann, an officer of the Indian Audit & Accounts Service since 1991, brings extensive experience in public finance and technology to the position. His previous roles include Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General and Chief Technology Officer at the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as well as leadership positions at the Small Industries Development Bank of India and the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Ramann holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics, an MBA from the University of Delhi, and several professional qualifications, including an M.Sc. in Financial Regulation from the London School of Economics. The government has expressed confidence that his expertise will enhance India's pension system and promote retirement security for citizens. sources

Published:
Jun 20 2025, 2 pm

Concor Introduces New Container Train Services from South

Container Corporation of India (Concor), a subsidiary of Indian Railways, has introduced two new container services linking Rachagunneri in Andhra Pradesh to Pantnagar in Uttarakhand, and Nagalapalle in Telangana to Gandhinagar in Gujarat. Additionally, it has revived services from Andhra Pradesh to Tughlakabad in New Delhi and from Tondiarpet in Chennai to Turbhe in Mumbai. G Gayatri, Area Head - III at Concor, noted that while there are currently no scheduled services, the company plans to operate around two trains per month to each location, transporting 80 to 90 containers per trip based on customer demand. The domestic containers will facilitate the movement of various cargo, including rice and glass, and can be utilized across different terminals without returning to their original destinations. This shift from road to rail is expected to offer customers a cost advantage of 3% to 7%, ultimately enhancing Concor's operational efficiency and reducing logistics costs. sources

Published:
Jun 20 2025, 12 pm

Cotton body seeks fair prices for farmers, maintains industry competitiveness

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has projected an increase in closing stocks for the 2024-25 season to 48.34 lakh bales, up from 30.19 lakh bales. Amid rising Minimum Support Prices (MSP), which have been set at ₹7,710 for medium staple and ₹8,110 for long staple cotton, stakeholders are concerned about the impact on the cotton value chain. The CAI has called for equitable solutions, such as a price deficiency payment scheme, to ensure farmers receive fair prices without compromising industry competitiveness. The current market has been bearish, with prices often falling below MSP, prompting the Cotton Corporation of India to purchase over 100 lakh bales at the guaranteed price. Stakeholders, including Suresh Kotak of the Textile Advisory Group, have emphasized the need for adjustments in the MSP structure and CCI sales policy to address these challenges effectively. sources

Published:
Jun 20 2025, 11 am

Core inflation rises; headline CPI forecast reduced

Retail inflation in India has seen a significant decline, reaching a 75-month low of 2.82% in May, primarily driven by a continuous drop in food inflation for six consecutive months. Despite this, core inflation, which excludes food and fuel prices, has risen to 4.2%, reflecting a gradual upward trend. Barclays has revised its CPI inflation forecast for FY25-26 down to 3.5%, citing lower food prices as a key factor, while the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintains a slightly higher estimate of 3.7%. The MPC noted a positive outlook for food supply due to record wheat production and favorable monsoon conditions, although concerns remain regarding weather-related uncertainties and global commodity prices. Meanwhile, SBI has also adjusted its CPI forecast to 3.5%, highlighting persistent core inflation challenges despite overall moderation since late 2024. sources

Published:
Jun 20 2025, 10 am

Air India Reduces London, Nairobi Flights Post-Crash Stabilization

Air India has announced a temporary suspension of flights to Nairobi and London from Amritsar and Goa, effective from June 21 to July 15, following a crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The airline plans to reduce its widebody international flights by 15% until mid-July, impacting routes to Australia, East Asia, Europe, and the US. This decision is part of a strategy to implement enhanced pre-flight safety checks and manage increased flight durations due to airspace closures in the Middle East. Air India aims to restore schedule stability and minimize last-minute disruptions for passengers. The revised flight schedule will be available on the airline's website, mobile app, and through its contact center, with a commitment to prioritizing the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft while working towards resuming full operations as soon as possible. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 9 pm

Ahmedabad air crash investigation making steady progress, says Ministry

The investigation into the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad is advancing, according to the Civil Aviation Ministry, which confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has completed key recovery tasks, including site documentation and evidence collection. However, a decision on whether to decode the aircraft's black boxes in India or send them to the US National Transportation Safety Board remains pending. The black boxes, which include a digital flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder, are crucial for determining the accident's causes. The Ministry emphasized that protocols are in place for handling the black boxes, with oversight from the AAIB and the Indian embassy. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu also met with Air India executives to discuss operational continuity and passenger safety, while reinforcing wildlife hazard management at airports to enhance security. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 8 pm

Monsoon Boosts Storage in India's Key Reservoirs

India's major reservoirs have seen an increase in storage levels this week, attributed to the revival of the south-west monsoon after a brief hiatus. According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), current storage stands at 31.81% of the total capacity, amounting to 58.030 billion cubic metres (BCM), surpassing both last year's levels and the 10-year average. While the southern and western regions reported improved storage, the northern and eastern zones experienced declines. Notably, Tamil Nadu's reservoirs are at 80% capacity, while Maharashtra and Gujarat are at 33% and 31%, respectively. The overall monsoon deficiency has decreased significantly from 31% to 5% this month, enhancing prospects for the kharif crop sowing season, which has already expanded by 1.5 lakh hectares. The CWC's report indicates a positive outlook for agricultural activities as the monsoon continues to impact various regions. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 8 pm

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