eznews.inIndia's aviation regulator has granted IndiGo a one-time exemption from new pilot night-duty regulations and rescinded a rule preventing airlines from counting pilot leave as part of their weekly rest. This decision follows a series of flight cancellations by IndiGo, which holds a 65% share of the domestic aviation market, resulting in over 2,000 cancellations this month alone. The head of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), Captain Ron Hay, expressed concern over the exemption, emphasizing that it undermines safety by potentially increasing pilot fatigue. He noted that the change was attributed to staffing issues, which could worsen pilot retention. IFALPA is advocating for a global standard to address pilot fatigue uniformly, as disparities exist in regulations across regions, with more stringent measures in Europe and the US. The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has not yet commented on the matter. 
Published: Dec 09 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced a 5% reduction in IndiGo's flight schedule due to significant disruptions that have occurred since December 1, 2025. The cuts will affect various sectors, particularly on high-demand routes, as part of the regulator's efforts to enhance operational reliability. IndiGo has been instructed to submit a revised flight schedule by 5 pm on Wednesday. This decision follows comments from the Civil Aviation Minister, who indicated that the government would be scaling back the number of routes IndiGo operates during the current winter schedule. Currently, the airline is managing over 2,200 flights daily as part of its Winter 2025-26 operations. The DGCA's intervention underscores ongoing concerns regarding the airline's performance amid increasing passenger demand.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a significant boost to public sector investment, capital expenditure (Capex) by 60 large public sector entities, including Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and agencies like the NHAI and Railway Board, reached over 64% of their annual target during the April-November period, according to the Department of Public Enterprises. With a Capex target of over ₹7.85 lakh crore for FY26, total spending exceeded ₹5 lakh crore, marking a 14% increase from the previous fiscal year. Notably, NTPC surpassed its target by spending over ₹26,600 crore, while Power Grid Corporation utilized 84% of its ₹25,000 crore goal. This surge in public sector spending comes amid a 32% rise in Central government Capex, contrasting with a projected 25% decline in private sector investment intentions for FY26. Officials emphasize that increased Capex is vital for fostering growth and employment opportunities in the economy.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 11 ameznews.inChennai Airport experienced a notable reduction in IndiGo flight cancellations on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, with 18 departures and 23 arrivals affected, down from 38 departures and 33 arrivals on Monday. The cancelled flights were primarily to major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Sources indicate that operations are expected to normalize within a day or two. Following recent disruptions, IndiGo reported that it successfully operated over 1,800 flights on Monday, an increase from 1,650 on Sunday. The airline stated that it has optimized its operations, leading to improved on-time performance of 91% across its network, and is proactively notifying customers about cancellations. Passengers at Chennai Airport were seen queuing to inquire about flight statuses amid the ongoing disruptions.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 9 ameznews.inHyderabad, Telangana: IndiGo Airlines faced significant disruptions at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday, with 58 flights cancelled, including 44 departures and 14 arrivals, by 9 am. The situation, however, is improving as congestion among stranded passengers eases and many flights resume their schedules. Reports indicate a marked decrease in cancellations compared to the previous three days, suggesting a return to normalcy at the airport. While the impact of the cancellations was felt widely, the gradual restoration of services offers hope for affected travelers. The airport authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure a smooth operation moving forward.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 9 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump has expressed concerns over what he describes as "dumping" of rice by India and other countries into the American market, pledging to address the issue through tariffs. During a White House roundtable with agricultural representatives, Trump announced $12 billion in federal aid for struggling farmers, particularly highlighting the plight of rice producers. Meryl Kennedy, a Louisiana agribusiness owner, identified India, Thailand, and China as the main culprits of rice dumping, urging for more stringent tariffs. Trump asserted that tariffs could quickly resolve the issue, emphasizing the need for fair trade practices. He noted that previous administrations failed to impose necessary tariffs, leading to significant losses in various industries. India, the world's largest rice producer, exported approximately 2.34 lakh tonnes of rice to the US in the 2024 fiscal year, accounting for less than 5% of its total exports.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 8 ameznews.inA delegation led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer is set to engage in trade discussions with senior Indian officials on December 10-11, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the visit as a familiarization trip, with Switzer scheduled to meet Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal to advance negotiations on a multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The talks follow the imposition of a 50% tariff on India by the US in August, which included a reciprocal tariff and a penalty related to oil purchases from Russia. India is keen to finalize the first phase of the BTA, focusing on rolling back these tariffs by year-end, as its exports to the US, particularly in labor-intensive sectors, have already been adversely affected. The US remains India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $131.84 billion in 2024-25.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndiGo has informed the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that it cannot currently identify the specific causes behind significant disruptions affecting its operations nationwide. In response to a DGCA show cause notice, CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras stated that a comprehensive 'Root Cause Analysis' would require the full fifteen-day response period allowed by regulations. The airline attributed the disruptions to a combination of minor technical issues, winter schedule changes, adverse weather, increased congestion, and new crew rostering rules. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu noted that IndiGo had not raised concerns about the new duty-time limits prior to the disruptions, which began on December 3. To address the situation, IndiGo implemented a "drastic measure" of network cancellations on December 5 to recover stranded customers and ease congestion, allowing services to gradually normalize from December 6. The airline has also processed substantial refunds for affected passengers.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 9 pmeznews.inEuropean Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is in New Delhi, leading a delegation of senior officials, including DG Trade Sabine Weyand, to expedite the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Both parties aim to "substantially conclude" discussions by the end of December, although key issues remain unresolved, such as market access for European automobiles, EU steel import quotas, compliance standards, and India's mobility concerns. Sefcovic emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue, stating that a commercially meaningful FTA could unlock significant potential for both sides. He met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal during his two-day visit, with plans for further discussions with Indian officials to address existing gaps. A formal announcement regarding the FTA is anticipated at the upcoming India-EU Summit on January 27, 2026, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU leaders.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to support India's green initiatives, the Indian Army has officially integrated bio-diesel into its fuel supply chain, aligning with the National Biofuel Policy's goal of achieving 5% diesel blending by 2030. The launch ceremony in New Delhi was led by Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, alongside senior officials and representatives from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). This initiative, coinciding with the 265th Corps Day of the Army Service Corps, marks a pivotal step towards reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy sustainability within the Army's logistics framework. The Army has also committed to adopting E-20 petrol by December 2025, furthering its green mobility efforts. Emphasizing the importance of sustainable fuel solutions, the Vice Chief highlighted the Army's role in advancing the nation’s clean energy objectives, showcasing its dedication to environmental stewardship and responsible resource management.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 8 pm
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