eznews.in
Boeing plans to deliver approximately 25 aircraft to Indian airlines in calendar year 2026, ramping up production of its 737 Max jets to two per month, according to Ashwini Naidu, the company's managing director for commercial sales and marketing in the Indian subcontinent. Deliveries will include 737 Max models for Akasa Air and Air India Express, as well as 787-9s for Air India. Last year, Indian carriers received 19 Boeing aircraft. Following a production cap by the US Federal Aviation Administration due to safety concerns, Boeing has now received approval to increase output to 42 jets monthly, aligning with India's status as the fastest-growing aviation market. Boeing forecasts a 7% annual rise in passenger air traffic in India and South Asia over the next 20 years, necessitating nearly 3,300 new planes and approximately 141,000 aviation professionals, including pilots and technicians, by 2044. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 3 pmeznews.inManufacturing output in India surged by 8.1% in December 2025, contributing to a robust Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth rate of 7.8%, the highest in 25 months, according to the Statistics Ministry. This increase was driven by significant gains in key sectors, including mining (6.8%) and electricity (6.3%). Notably, the manufacturing sector saw remarkable growth in computer, electronic, and optical products (34.9%), motor vehicles (33.5%), and other transport equipment (25.1%). Of the 23 industry groups, 16 reported positive growth compared to December 2024, with substantial contributions from basic metals, motor vehicles, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, IIP growth rates varied across use-based classifications, with infrastructure and construction goods leading at 12.1%, followed by consumer durables at 12.3%. This data reflects a broad-based recovery in industrial activity, signaling a positive economic outlook.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 4 pmeznews.inHindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) plans to lease 10 to 20 SJ 100 aircraft over the next 18 months, as announced by Chairman and Managing Director D K Sunil at Wings India 2026. The initiative aims to expedite deployment by acquiring aircraft directly from Russia in flying condition, rather than waiting for production. HAL has partnered with the Russian United Aircraft Corporation to produce the 100-seat SJ 100, which Sunil described as a world-class aircraft ideal for regional operations. The company intends to begin local production in India within three to four years at its facilities in Nasik and Kanpur. Currently, HAL generates 95% of its revenue from the military sector, but it aims to increase its civil aviation share from 5% to 25% over the next decade, bolstered by helicopter sales and SJ 100 transactions. Additionally, HAL has contracted with Pawan Hans for the sale of 10 Dhruv NG helicopters for ONGC offshore operations.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 4 pmeznews.inA Goldman Sachs report has underscored the significance of the long-awaited India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which represents a pivotal shift in global trade dynamics amid increasing protectionism. Together, India and the EU encompass approximately 2 billion people, 25% of global GDP, and a quarter of the world’s population and trade. While the macroeconomic impact may be limited in the short term, with EU exports projected to rise by less than €20 billion, the FTA is expected to yield substantial sector-specific benefits. India plans to eliminate or reduce tariffs on 96.6% of EU goods, particularly in autos, machinery, and chemicals, potentially saving EU exporters around €4 billion annually. The report highlights that industrial sectors, especially EU autos and chemicals, will be the primary beneficiaries. Additionally, India's robust growth outlook, with GDP growth projected at 6.7% in 2026, is drawing investor interest towards European firms with exposure to the Indian market.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 4 pmeznews.inLarsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a significant contract to extend the Riyadh Metro in Saudi Arabia, covering an 8.4 km corridor that includes both elevated and underground sections, along with five modern stations. The project, valued between ₹5,000–10,000 crore, is part of a larger initiative executed by a consortium that includes Webuild S.p.A, Nesma & Partners, Alstom, and IDOM. This contract underscores L&T's growing influence in the Kingdom's urban transport infrastructure and reinforces its status as a preferred partner for large-scale international metro projects, complementing its robust domestic portfolio. The company highlighted its proven capability in constructing efficient mass transit systems globally, emphasizing the trust that clients place in its expertise. This announcement comes amid a positive market performance, with the SENSEX and NIFTY indices both showing gains, reflecting a broader economic optimism.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 2 pmeznews.inHoneywell has licensed its Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) technology to TruAlt Bioenergy Limited, enabling the Indian firm to produce 80,000 tons per annum of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in India. This agreement represents a significant advancement in establishing one of the country's first dedicated SAF production facilities, utilizing ethanol as a feedstock. Honeywell's ETJ technology allows for the conversion of renewable ethanol into SAF, providing a cost-effective solution to reduce carbon emissions in air travel. The project is expected to lower CO₂ emissions from the aviation sector while boosting farmer incomes through increased bioethanol demand. TruAlt's Managing Director, Vijay Nirani, emphasized the importance of this partnership in building India's sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem, aiming to connect local farmers with global decarbonization efforts. Honeywell continues to offer various renewable fuel solutions to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy sources.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 2 pmeznews.inGAIL (India) has announced a strategic partnership with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K LINE) and J M Baxi Marine Services, signing a term sheet for equity participation in a Singapore-based ship-owning company. The agreement, witnessed by Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri during the India Energy Week in Goa, includes a long-term charter for an LNG vessel set to begin operations in 2027, currently under construction in Korea. GAIL's investment, pending approval from DIPAM, will be made through its subsidiary, GAIL Global IFSC. GAIL's Chairman, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, emphasized the alignment of interests in owning LNG ships alongside chartering. The collaboration aims to bolster India's maritime capabilities and support Prime Minister Modi's "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision. Additionally, GAIL has entered a long-term charter with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines for the LNG carrier "GAIL BHUWAN," reinforcing commitments to energy security and environmental sustainability as India transitions to cleaner fuels.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 2 pmeznews.inBoeing announced on Wednesday that it anticipates airlines in India and South Asia will require 3,290 new commercial jets over the next two decades, driven by robust economic growth, an expanding middle class, and a surge in first-time flyers. This revised forecast marks a significant increase from Boeing's earlier projection of 2,835 jets in its previous 20-year market outlook. The aerospace giant's updated estimate reflects the region's growing air travel demand, highlighting the potential for substantial expansion in the aviation sector as more people seek to travel by air. The announcement underscores the importance of the Indian and South Asian markets in the global aviation landscape, as they continue to evolve and adapt to changing consumer behaviors and economic conditions.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 1 pmeznews.inAir India is poised for a transformative year, marked by the arrival of its first line-fit Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, custom-built for the airline, according to CEO Campbell Wilson. Speaking at Wings India 2026, Wilson emphasized that this year will see significant upgrades to the fleet, with three additional 787-9s and two A350 1000s expected by year-end. He projected that by 2027 and 2028, Air India's long-haul wide-body fleet will undergo substantial changes, enhancing the travel experience with upgraded business class accommodations. The Wings India event, held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, serves as a vital platform for the aviation sector, featuring discussions on various industry topics, including sustainable aviation fuel and advanced air mobility. The four-day event, organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI, includes exhibitions, roundtables, and awards, aiming to foster collaboration within the global aviation community.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union is poised to enhance the country's economic landscape, according to Moody's Ratings. The deal, which has been in negotiation for nearly two decades, will grant duty-free access to 93% of Indian exports to the EU, benefiting a market of approximately 2 billion people. Moody's highlighted that the FTA will attract foreign investment, bolster manufacturing, and improve the competitiveness of India's labour-intensive sectors. While the EU will gain duty-free access for over 90% of its goods in India over a decade, India will initially eliminate duties on only 30% of European imports. Notably, tariffs on luxury cars and wines from the EU will decrease significantly, with car duties dropping from 110% to 10% for a limited number of vehicles. The agreement is expected to be formally signed and implemented later this year, contingent on improvements in business regulations.
Published: Jan 28 2026, 1 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact