Trending Economy

Listen as Radio

"IndiGo crisis: No one escapes accountability, says minister"

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has vowed to hold IndiGo accountable for recent disruptions at airports, attributing the chaos to the airline's mismanagement of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms. In an interview with _businessline_, Naidu emphasized that regulatory action will follow an investigation into the matter, asserting that "no one is going scot free." To protect passengers, the government has implemented measures including fare caps and increased capacity from other airlines. Maximum fare limits have been set at ₹7,500 for routes up to 500 km, escalating to ₹18,000 for longer distances. While IndiGo anticipates stabilizing operations by mid-December, Naidu expects improvements sooner. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has granted IndiGo a temporary exemption from FDTL to address severe rostering issues, and a show cause notice has been issued to CEO Pieter Elbers regarding potential violations. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 5 pm

HD Hyundai selects Thoothukudi for billion-dollar shipyard project

In a significant development for India's shipbuilding industry, South Korea's HD Hyundai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a shipyard in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, during the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2025 in Madurai. The project, initially dubbed the "SMITH Project" (Shipbuilding Make in India Together with Hyundai), is projected to involve an investment of nearly $2 billion. HD Hyundai's Vice President, Hannae Choi, emphasized the potential of Tamil Nadu as a hub for shipbuilding, highlighting its strategic location and skilled workforce. The initiative aligns with the state's broader economic goals, with Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister MK Stalin announcing that the government has secured investments totaling ₹11,83,000 crore since taking office, creating jobs for 34 lakh people. The event also saw the signing of 91 MoUs worth ₹36,600 crore, including significant investments from Reliance and other companies. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 6 pm

IndiGo's operations improve, but cancellations remain troubling

IndiGo's flight disruptions continued to impact travel across India on Sunday, with the airline operating approximately 1,650 flights, significantly down from its pre-crisis average of 2,300. Following a challenging Saturday where only 1,500 flights were managed, IndiGo reported an improvement in on-time performance, rising to 75% from 30%. The airline has implemented a full waiver for cancellations and rescheduling requests for bookings until December 15, 2025. In response to the widespread cancellations, the Ministry of Civil Aviation mandated that IndiGo process all refunds by 8 PM Sunday, with the airline already issuing Rs 610 crore in refunds. Meanwhile, the Centre issued a showcause notice to IndiGo's CEO Pieter Elbers regarding the disruptions, while other domestic airlines reported smooth operations. Despite the challenges, IndiGo's flight operations are gradually stabilizing, with a Crisis Management Group established to oversee recovery efforts. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 9 pm

Tamil Nadu unveils Toy Manufacturing Policy to boost investments

Tamil Nadu has unveiled its Toy Manufacturing Policy 2025, aiming to position the toy industry as a sunrise sector under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy (TNIP) 2021. Announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin at the Tamil Nadu Investors Conclave in Madurai, the policy seeks to attract both local and international toy manufacturers, particularly in high-end segments like electromechanical toys. To incentivize investment, projects exceeding ₹50 crore and creating at least 50 jobs will qualify for a special incentive package. The policy outlines varying subsidy rates based on district categories, with eligible units receiving fixed capital subsidies over a five to ten-year period. Additionally, the policy includes provisions for training subsidies, support for creative design studios, and assistance for traditional toy clusters seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tags. The MSME department will also facilitate the online marketing of artisanal products through major e-commerce platforms. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 8 pm

Govt opts for gradual minority stake sales in CPSEs

The Indian government is adopting a gradual approach to minority stake sales in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) as part of its revenue strategy, according to a senior Finance Ministry official. This decision comes amid concerns over revenue fluctuations, particularly due to a slowdown in GST collection growth. The recent successful minority stake sale in Bank of Maharashtra, which saw bids nearly five times oversubscribed, exemplifies this strategy, allowing for minimal disruption and political backlash. The government plans to continue selling stakes in CPSEs to meet the Minimum Public Shareholding norm of 25%. With 66 CPSEs and 16 public financial institutions listed, the government holds significant share value, providing ample opportunity for revenue generation. The focus has shifted from mere divestment to value creation, with the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) emphasizing more Offer for Sale (OFS) transactions and potential IPOs in the future. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 4 pm

Coking coal imports rise in October; overall coal shipments decline

In October, India's coal imports exhibited a mixed trend, with overall shipments declining by 3.9% to 20.97 million tonnes (MT) compared to 21.84 MT a year earlier, largely due to a surplus in the domestic market. However, coking coal imports rose by 12% to 5.04 MT, up from 4.50 MT in the same month last year, driven by steel mills' winter restocking efforts. Coking coal, essential for steel production, sees increased demand as manufacturers prepare for potential disruptions in transportation during colder months. Looking ahead, import levels are expected to remain subdued, with higher domestic production anticipated in the fourth quarter, according to mjunction MD & CEO Vinaya Varma. The government is actively working to boost domestic coal supplies, aiming to meet demand through local production and reduce reliance on imports, particularly through initiatives like the Coking Coal Mission launched in 2024. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 3 pm

UAE: Key Hub for India's Tech Growth Amid Proptech Surge

India's emerging tech firms are transforming cross-border real estate investment, with the UAE becoming a key testing ground for AI-driven proptech innovations. As Indian companies expand their global reach, the UAE's pro-business environment and high digital adoption rates have attracted them to establish a presence in Dubai. This shift signifies a move beyond merely exporting technology, as Indian enterprises now play a pivotal role in reshaping the Gulf's digital economy. Gagan Arora, Founder of Vertex Group, emphasized their commitment to facilitating seamless access for Indian investors to the UAE real estate market through partnerships, aiming to simplify cross-border property investments. In 2024, Indian buyers represented 22% of Dubai's property transactions, investing nearly AED 35 billion. With record-breaking real estate values and a total of AED 893 billion in transactions across the emirates, the UAE continues to solidify its status as a prime destination for Indian businesses and investors. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 3 pm

Corteva Boosts Biologicals in India Amid Climate Challenges

Corteva Agriscience is intensifying its focus on biological crop protection solutions in India, particularly biocontrols and biostimulants, as climate change and pest resistance escalate challenges for farmers. During a recent visit, Brook Cunningham, Corteva's president for Asia-Pacific, highlighted India's potential as a key market, bolstered by government support for natural farming and gene-editing technologies. The company is investing significantly in microbial solutions to enhance plant defenses and combat pests, viewing biologicals as complementary to traditional chemical methods. With India’s agricultural landscape supporting 1.4 billion people on limited land, Corteva aims to boost yields for small farmers and meet its ambitious financial targets. However, regulatory hurdles pose challenges, with slow approval processes hindering innovation. Corteva is committed to collaborating with local innovators and advocating for science-based regulations to foster a conducive environment for agricultural advancements. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 3 pm

IndiGo flight crisis hits Rajasthan's tourist season hard

IndiGo Airlines is facing a significant operational crisis, with over 400 flights cancelled on December 5, 2025, due to pilot-rostering issues, leaving many passengers stranded for up to three days. This disruption comes at a critical time for Rajasthan's tourism sector, which is currently in its peak season, typically bustling with holiday travelers. Tour operators report a surge in cancellations, particularly for Christmas and New Year bookings, as uncertainty over flight operations leads to a halt in new reservations. The impact is felt across hotels, local transport providers, and tourist guides, with many reporting a sharp decline in demand. Despite these challenges, officials remain hopeful that Rajasthan's robust tourism infrastructure and ongoing promotional efforts will facilitate a swift recovery once normal flight services resume. The state aims to diversify its tourism offerings to attract visitors year-round, enhancing its position as a leading destination in India's tourism landscape. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 3 pm

IndiGo: India's Airline Faces Challenges

IndiGo, India's largest airline, is grappling with its most significant operational crisis, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights nationwide due to a combination of new pilot duty-time regulations and a lean staffing model. Over the past week, the airline has cancelled more than 650 flights in a single day, disrupting travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers, many of whom missed critical events such as weddings and job interviews. The crisis stems from regulatory changes aimed at reducing pilot fatigue, which IndiGo failed to adequately prepare for, leading to a shortfall in required pilots. As chaos unfolded at major airports, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) intervened with fare caps and initiated an inquiry into the airline's operations. IndiGo has since announced measures to support affected passengers, including refunds and waivers, while a Crisis Management Group has been established to oversee recovery efforts. sources

Published:
Dec 07 2025, 3 pm

For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews

End of news stories. Come back in an hour!