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India's aviation regulator has granted IndiGo a one-time exemption from new pilot night-duty regulations and rescinded a rule preventing airlines from counting pilot leave as part of their weekly rest.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.inIndiGo announced a significant operational recovery on Monday, revealing plans to operate over 1,800 flights, a notable increase from around 1,650 the previous day, following a period of widespread disruptions. The airline confirmed it has restored connectivity across its network and improved its on-time performance to 90%, up from nearly 75%. All cancellations for Monday were communicated in advance to facilitate smoother travel for passengers. As part of its recovery efforts, IndiGo has processed refunds totaling Rs 827 crores for cancellations up to December 15 and arranged over 9,500 hotel rooms and nearly 10,000 transport services for stranded travelers. The airline is currently assisting over 200,000 customers daily and has reunited more than 4,500 delayed bags with their owners. IndiGo reassured passengers of its compliance with safety regulations and thanked them for their patience during this challenging period.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated a special inspection drive at major airports, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, amid significant disruptions caused by operational issues at IndiGo Airlines. Senior officials, including Deputy Secretaries and Directors, are set to conduct on-ground assessments to evaluate the challenges faced by passengers. This move follows a high-level review meeting aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis, which has been monitored since December 3. Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu clarified that the disruptions stem from IndiGo's internal crew rostering and operational planning, rather than maintenance issues. He assured that safety remains a priority, with stringent Civil Aviation Requirements in place to protect passengers from delays and cancellations. Additionally, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued show cause notices to IndiGo's CEO and COO in response to the situation.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAs the December 11 deadline for feedback on the draft Seed Bill 2025 approaches, experts are voicing serious concerns over its provisions, which they argue could undermine local agricultural ecosystems. Aldas Janaiah from the Prof. Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University warns that allowing seed imports without local testing could introduce diseases, while also criticizing the bill's encroachment on state powers to regulate seed issues. He advocates for a statutory compensation mechanism for farmers affected by substandard seeds. G V Ramanjaneyulu, CEO of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, highlights the bill's weakening of state authority over seed pricing, which could exacerbate issues like soaring BT cottonseed prices. The National Seed Association of India calls for stricter controls to combat substandard seeds, while Ram Kaundinya from the Federation of Seed Industry of India emphasizes the need for clarity in the registration system and greater focus on horticultural crops and new technologies.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inTea offerings at Coonoor auctions have seen a notable decline as winter sets in across growing regions, with a reported 10% drop in quantities compared to previous auctions. Traders anticipate this trend will continue, leading to firmer prices in upcoming sales. Despite a rise in unsold quantities due to quality issues, support from blenders and exporters helped lift tea prices in sale 49, where approximately 15% of the 1,356,512 kg of leaf tea offered remained unsold. The auction recorded an 84% sales rate for leaf tea and 85% for dust. High-priced and better-quality teas saw slight increases of ₹2 to ₹3, while primary whole leaf grades generally fell by ₹5 to ₹6. In CTC dust, prices for high-quality teas remained stable, but primary orthodox dust grades dropped by ₹6 to ₹8, reflecting ongoing market fluctuations.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's aviation sector is experiencing a modest recovery in demand, with domestic air traffic rising 4% year-on-year in Q3 FY26, rebounding from a previous contraction. However, a new report by J.P. Morgan highlights significant challenges ahead, primarily due to rising aviation turbine fuel prices and a weakening rupee, which threaten airline profitability. While domestic airfares have remained largely flat, international fares have surged by 13% year-on-year, driven by strong demand. IndiGo, the largest airline, holds a dominant 65.6% market share. Despite the positive demand trends, the report warns that low yield growth may not offset increasing costs, with a 1% rise in fuel prices potentially eroding profits by 3%. The outlook remains uncertain as airlines face cost inflation and currency pressures, which could hinder profitability even as they seek to expand capacity.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.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 am
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