eznews.inThe Indian aviation sector is poised for a hopeful 2026 following a tumultuous year marked by tragedies and operational disruptions, including the devastating crash of Air India's AI171 flight on June 12, 2025, which claimed 260 lives. As the New Year approaches, stakeholders await the findings of the investigation into the crash, while also seeking improvements in helicopter operations and more stable airfares. IndiGo faced significant operational challenges due to new Flight Duty Time Limitations, resulting in thousands of flight cancellations and regulatory scrutiny. Despite these setbacks, the sector saw the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport and the upcoming launch of Noida International Airport. However, airspace closures and conflicts, particularly during Operation Sindoor, exacerbated operational difficulties. With new airlines expected to emerge and existing carriers expanding routes, the industry remains optimistic about overcoming its challenges and capitalizing on India's growth potential in aviation. 
Published: Dec 28 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn 2025, India faced a significant challenge with a 50% tariff imposed by the US on its exports, yet Indian exporters demonstrated resilience by diversifying their markets, leading to a robust export growth trajectory. Despite a dip in merchandise exports to $389.5 billion in 2023, figures rebounded to $443 billion in 2024, with $407 billion recorded from January to November 2025. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced a historic high of $825.25 billion in goods and services exports for 2024-25, with expectations of continued growth into 2026, bolstered by new free trade agreements with the UK, Oman, and New Zealand. While exports to the US surged by 22.61% in November 2025, challenges remain, including geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism. Experts believe that India's export outlook for 2026 will benefit from structural shifts and increased competitiveness, despite potential hurdles such as exchange-rate volatility and compliance costs.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 3 pmeznews.inGMR Group has successfully qualified to bid for the $800 million Taif International Airport project in Saudi Arabia, as confirmed by the National Center for Privatisation & PPP. Alongside GMR, other qualified bidders include the Bengaluru International Airport Ltd – Tamasuk consortium, Turkey’s TAV Airports – Mada International Holding consortium, an Irish consortium led by Daa International, and Kalyon Insaat consortium. The project will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with a Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) contract lasting 30 years, encompassing the construction phase. The new airport will feature a modern commercial passenger terminal, utility networks, car parks, and access roads, designed to accommodate future demand and expansions. It aims to support the anticipated increase in air traffic by 2055 and serve as a key hub for Umrah pilgrims within the region's multi-airport system.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant shift towards rapid military deployment, Adani Defence & Aerospace has transitioned from extended planning cycles, with its hardware actively utilized in Operation Sindoor. The Adani Group is set to invest ₹1.8 lakh crore in 2026, focusing on unmanned and autonomous systems, advanced guided weapons, and enhanced maintenance and training infrastructure. The company has emerged as India's largest private-sector defence entity, boasting capabilities in unmanned aerial and underwater systems, counter-drone solutions, and loitering munitions. Notably, its Drishti 10 UAVs have been inducted into the Indian Navy and Army for long-endurance ISR missions, while its counter-drone systems have successfully passed military trials. The integration of Air Works and Indamer has created a robust defence-civil maintenance platform, and the acquisition of FSTC has bolstered training capabilities. Looking ahead, Adani aims to expand its autonomous systems and precision-strike capabilities in alignment with India's defence investment goals.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 11 ameznews.inEconomic growth data for Fiscal Year 2027-28 (FY28) is set to incorporate findings from the upcoming All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS), which will be conducted from July 2026 to June 2027, marking the first such survey since the Covid pandemic. AIDIS, a key initiative by the National Statistics Office (NSO), has been conducted approximately every decade since its inception in 1951-52, providing vital insights into household indebtedness and asset ownership. The survey's results will be crucial for understanding consumption patterns, particularly as Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) has risen to 62.5% of GDP in FY26. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the government's strategies to enhance consumption through tax exemptions, GST rationalization, and improved access to credit. AIDIS will also shed light on investment behaviors across different economic groups, as the number of Demat accounts continues to grow, reflecting increasing engagement with financial markets. The GDP data for FY28 will be based on 2022-23 figures, with initial projections released in the Economic Survey for FY26-27.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 11 ameznews.inAir India Express is set to welcome its first line-fit Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft in New Delhi on Monday, marking a significant milestone as the first new aircraft acquired by the Air India Group since Tata's takeover nearly four years ago. Following the acquisition of the struggling Air India and the profitable Air India Express in January 2022, Tata Group announced a massive order for 470 planes in February 2023, with an additional 100 ordered in December 2024. The new aircraft, named VT-RNT in honor of Ratan Naval Tata, features a unique livery and will operate solely in economy class. Until now, the airline has only received white tail aircraft—those originally built for other airlines—due to global supply chain challenges. Air India Express has recently surpassed the 100-aircraft milestone, with plans to expand its fleet further in the coming years.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia, home to nearly 8% of the world's species and over 7,000 medicinal plants, has significant potential in the global medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) market, yet its share remains limited. Maharashtra, with its diverse landscapes, is poised to lead in MAP cultivation, producing crops like turmeric and ashwagandha in key districts. Institutional support from agricultural universities and Farmer Producer Organisations enhances farmers' market access and cultivation practices. Rising global demand for plant-based products across various sectors presents opportunities for rural communities, particularly small farmers, to improve livelihoods through sustainable practices. Maharashtra's Natural Farming Policy aligns well with MAP cultivation, promoting organic production and higher income potential. However, challenges such as quality consistency and fragmented production hinder competitiveness. Addressing these issues through coordinated efforts and investment in infrastructure could position Maharashtra as a national hub for MAPs, driving economic growth and ecological conservation in India.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 10 ameznews.inDomestic airline IndiGo has cancelled 57 flights across its network on Saturday, attributing the disruptions to "bad weather" at various airports, as reported on its website. An additional 13 flights have been cancelled for Sunday, with two of those due to "operational reasons" and the rest linked to anticipated adverse weather conditions. The Gurugram-based carrier has faced ongoing cancellations for over a week, following earlier disruptions caused by new regulations on pilots' duty periods. The affected flights originate from multiple cities, including Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Delhi. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has designated the period from December 10 to February 10 as the official fog window, mandating airlines to roster pilots trained for low-visibility operations. Following significant cancellations earlier this month, IndiGo's domestic flight schedule has been reduced by 10%, limiting its operations to 1,930 flights per day under the current winter schedule.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe structural transformation of India's economy, traditionally viewed as a shift from agriculture to more productive sectors like manufacturing and services, is undergoing a significant reevaluation. While Nobel laureate Arthur Lewis emphasized agriculture's limited role in growth, his counterpart Theodore Schultz highlighted its potential as a growth driver through technological advancements. Recent Indian policies aim to reposition agriculture as a primary engine of growth, focusing on value chains that encompass processing, logistics, and retailing. The government is pursuing self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, though experts caution that India may lack a comparative advantage in all areas. Successful agricultural growth will depend on effective participation in global value chains, optimizing production locations, and embracing new technologies. With food grain production surging, the government is also exploring new export markets and innovative uses for surplus crops, indicating a transformative approach to the agri-food system.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia faces a persistent challenge with rural-to-urban migration, driven by unstable agricultural incomes and limited local job opportunities. This trend exacerbates urban overcrowding, straining infrastructure and public health, as highlighted by a report revealing significant productivity losses and a housing crisis in cities like Mumbai and Delhi. However, the bioenergy sector presents a transformative solution by stabilizing rural incomes through initiatives like the Ethanol Blending Programme, which links farmers directly to national energy demand, thereby reducing the economic pressures that drive migration. This sector not only creates direct and indirect jobs across various fields but also fosters local economic growth by providing energy security for rural enterprises. As India aims for a more balanced development by 2047, bioenergy emerges as a crucial strategy to empower villages, mitigate urban strain, and promote a self-reliant economy, aligning with global sustainable development goals.
Published: Dec 28 2025, 9 am
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