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Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace giant, and India's Mahindra Group have unveiled plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the C-390 Millennium aircraft in India, contingent upon Embraer's selection for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. This initiative aims to address the Air Force's need to replace its aging fleet of An-32 and Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft, with Brazil expressing strong interest in the acquisition process as discussions between the two governments intensify. The C-390 Millennium boasts a payload capacity of 26 tons and can operate from unpaved runways, offering versatility for air-to-air refuelling. The proposed MRO facility is expected to enhance operational readiness and provide a comprehensive support ecosystem tailored to India's needs, ensuring high aircraft availability throughout its lifecycle, according to executives from both companies. 
Published: Feb 19 2026, 4 pmeznews.inThe ePlane Company, a manufacturer of Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced its intention to develop virtual models of its e200X electric air taxis using NVIDIA's Omniverse libraries. This initiative aims to create a 'Digital Twin' of the e200X series, allowing for the engineering and simulation of intricate aerodynamic interactions, sensor responses, and various flight scenarios. By leveraging this technology, the company can validate operations under extreme weather conditions, sensor failures, and collision scenarios, effectively training its algorithms through millions of virtual kilometers before actual flights. Founder and CTO Satya Chakravarthy emphasized that this collaboration with NVIDIA enables the company to rigorously test its aircraft in simulations, enhancing safety and performance. NVIDIA's support is also seen as a boost for India's start-up ecosystem, providing access to advanced computing and AI resources to help companies scale globally.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe APEC Climate Center (APCC) has issued an "El Niño" watch, indicating potential drought conditions in the coming seasons. The report forecasts above-normal temperatures globally, particularly in India, western Europe, Central Asia, Russia, Australia, and parts of the Americas. Conversely, below-normal precipitation is expected in India, Central America, and northern South America, which could adversely affect India's South-West monsoon, reminiscent of the 2023 season that saw drought in 25% of the country and led to restrictions on rice exports. Seasonal outlooks predict varied precipitation patterns, with above-normal rainfall anticipated in the tropical North Pacific and below-normal in the Maritime Continent and off-equatorial South Pacific. The report highlights a strong likelihood of above-normal temperatures across many regions, including Europe and Africa, while some areas in the North Atlantic may experience below-normal temperatures. The findings underscore the ongoing impacts of climate variability on global weather patterns.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 5 pmeznews.inTribal farmers in Koraput, Odisha, are making significant strides in horticultural exports, dispatching dry ginger, fresh ginger, and premium Kalajeera rice to various domestic markets, including Karnataka, Punjab, and Haryana. This initiative, launched during a district-level animal husbandry and fishery mela, saw the transportation of 100 quintals of dry ginger to Bengaluru, 240 quintals of fresh ginger to Punjab, and 60 quintals of Kalajeera rice to Haryana. Supported by Jaivik Sri Farmers’ Producer Company Ltd and the Odisha Department of Agriculture, the project aims to enhance farmers' incomes by 30-40% through improved market access. The initiative, backed by the Gates Foundation and implemented by Palladium, highlights the importance of institutional support and collective action in transforming rural livelihoods. Deputy Director of Horticulture, Sudam Chandra Biswal, emphasized the commitment to strengthening market linkages for tribal farmers, ensuring fair prices for their quality produce.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 5 pmeznews.inBrazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer announced plans to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India, in partnership with Mahindra Group, to support the C-390 Millennium aircraft following its selection for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. This facility aims to enhance operational readiness by providing comprehensive services, including heavy maintenance, structural inspections, and training. The collaboration, which builds on a strategic partnership formed last October, aligns with India's 'Make in India' initiative, promoting local manufacturing. The C-390 Millennium, noted for its versatility and reliability, can perform various missions and is designed for operations from unpaved runways. Embraer also envisions India as a potential regional MRO hub for other C-390 operators, contributing to high-skill employment and integrating Indian firms into its global supply chain, reinforcing its commitment to India's self-reliance goals.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 3 pmeznews.inMontra Electric, the electric vehicle division of the Murugappa Group, is venturing into international markets, targeting exports of its electric three-wheelers (E3W) to Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. CEO Deependra Sharma highlighted the challenges of power availability in these regions, stating that the company is currently testing the waters with a few units. This export initiative coincides with a significant year for Montra, marked by the launch of a revamped electric passenger E3W and entry into the cargo segment, alongside the introduction of fast-charging options in major cities. The company recently surpassed 1,000 units in monthly production at its Chennai plant, showcasing its scalability. With a growing market share of approximately 3%, Montra aims for double-digit growth, driven by increasing adoption of E3Ws, particularly in semi-urban areas. The company’s dealership network has expanded to about 120 outlets nationwide, covering 60% of the E3W market.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's cruise market is poised for significant growth, but it hinges on the establishment of homeporting, according to Varun Chadha, CEO of TIRUN Travel Marketing. In an interview with _businessline_, Chadha emphasized that regular sailings from Indian ports like Mumbai and Chennai are essential to increase the current number of Indian cruisers from 400,000 to millions. He noted that enhancing destination appeal and improving port infrastructure are crucial for this expansion. The recent reduction of the tax collection at source (TCS) on overseas tour packages from 20% to 2% is expected to stimulate demand by easing booking processes. Post-pandemic, while interest in cruising has surged, supply constraints remain a challenge. Additionally, younger Indians, who represent a significant portion of the cruise demographic, are increasingly embracing cruise holidays, aided by fly-cruise partnerships that simplify travel logistics. Recent port calls, such as the Celebrity Millennium's visit to Mumbai, further highlight India's potential as a cruise destination.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's renewable energy (RE) share in cumulative power generation is projected to rise to approximately 26% in FY26, up from 22% in FY25, despite a muted electricity demand growth of 1-2% this financial year. Infomerics Ratings noted a robust 7-8% compound annual growth rate in electricity demand from FY21 to FY25, aligning with GDP growth. Although demand growth has slowed in FY26 due to an extended monsoon, medium-term prospects remain strong, driven by sectors like manufacturing and electric vehicles. RE capacity installations surged to around 52 gigawatts in the first nine months of FY26, with RE contributing over 90% to the capacity mix. By FY32, solar-led RE is expected to account for 59% of total installed capacity, necessitating significant energy storage systems to meet peak demand. Infomerics maintains a stable outlook for the RE sector, emphasizing the importance of timely project execution and grid integration.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 1 pmeznews.inBudget airline SpiceJet has announced plans to enhance its operations by inducting 10 additional aircraft, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at rebuilding its network and expanding capacity. The announcement, made on February 19, 2026, comes after the airline's Board approved a strategy to increase its fleet to 60 aircraft through a combination of wet and damp leases, alongside the phased return of grounded planes. SpiceJet has reported a significant recovery, having doubled its capacity in the last quarter, with Available Seat Kilometres rising from 55 crore to 105 crore. The airline aims to further increase this to 220 crore by Winter 2026 and operate over 300 daily flights, focusing on enhancing connectivity and operational reliability while maintaining a disciplined growth approach. Chief Business Officer Debojo Maharshi emphasized the importance of these developments in meeting strong passenger demand and restoring capacity.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 1 pmeznews.inCoal off-take by India's power sector fell for the fifth consecutive month in January 2026, despite a surge in electricity demand due to severe cold wave conditions, marking the highest January consumption since at least 2010. According to the Coal Ministry, coal off-take dropped nearly 3% year-on-year to 73.16 million tonnes, with a cumulative decline of 3.72% to 661.69 million tonnes during the April-January period of FY26. The power sector's share of overall coal off-take decreased to 79%, down from 82% in January 2025. Meanwhile, electricity demand rose by 4.5% year-on-year to approximately 143 billion units, driven by increased heating needs, with peak power demand reaching 245 gigawatts. Renewable energy generation also saw a notable increase of 10% year-on-year, contributing to a diverse energy mix as coal stocks at thermal power plants rose to their highest levels since July 2025.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 12 pm
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