All aboard for UDAN? Regional connectivity scheme revamp awaits cabinet nod; set to back airlines’ losses

India’s regional connectivity scheme is headed for a revamp, awaiting Cabinet’s approval for a plan that would financially support airlines operating on remote routes to cover potential losses. Launched in 2016, the scheme caps fares on half of the seats to make air travel affordable. However, flights to hinterland destinations often remain commercially unviable due…

Read More

Key sectors eye zero-duty EU access

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the India-European Union free trade agreement – which is all set to be announced on Tuesday – all eyes are on several crucial sectors, where domestic industry has pitched for zero duty concessions to be able to compete more effectively with competitors, such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.Among the top asks is…

Read More

Winter storm grounds US air travel: Over 10,000 flights cancelled on Sunday as snow batters major hubs

A massive winter storm disrupted air travel across the United States on Sunday, triggering widespread flight cancellations and delays at some of the country’s busiest airports and setting up what airlines warned would be a brutal travel day.The National Weather Service said late Saturday that widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million…

Read More

Padma Awards 2026: Uday Kotak named among Padma Bhushan recipients

NEW DELHI: Centre on Sunday announced the Padma Awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, conferring the Padma Bhushan on veteran banker and industrialist Uday Kotak for his exceptional contribution to the financial sector, a government statement said.The Padma Awards, among India’s most prestigious civilian honours, are given in three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma…

Read More