AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE COSTS
Your next flight could cost more even if oil prices fall: Here's what is changing
Airlines face challenges that could prevent ticket price reductions despite falling oil prices and rising fuel costs. These challenges include aircraft maintenance expenses and delays in aircraft deliveries, which add to overall operational costs. Airlines are managing ticket prices carefully to balance their revenue recovery with passengers' price sensitivities. Consequently, travelers should remain aware of total travel costs, including various surcharges and fees.
SpiceJet reveals its comeback game plan as a turbulent battle to reclaim lost ground unfolds
SpiceJet is currently enhancing its operational capacity to address flight delays and cancellations. The airline has started adding leased aircraft to expand its network and restore services. According to reports, SpiceJet's on-time performance has significantly lagged behind competitors in the aviation sector. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the airline's operational performance.
56% of airlines expect air travel slowdown over next 2-3 years amid rising costs: McKinsey
More than half of airlines expect a slowdown in air travel over the next two to three years, as rising jet fuel prices, higher maintenance costs and aircraft delivery delays weigh on the aviation industry, according to a McKinsey report. The report also highlights the sector's financial challenges, profitability trends and the potential role of artificial intelligence in improving operational efficiency.
Assam plans 6,000-bigha Defence Park in Morigaon to boost defence manufacturing
Assam Government has approved the establishment of a Defence Park on approximately 6,000 bighas of land. This initiative aims to enhance defence manufacturing capabilities in the state and foster industrial growth. Additionally, the Assam Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Policy, 2025, has been introduced to attract investments in this sector. The initiative is expected to create significant employment opportunities for the youth of Assam.
Iran war, doubling fuel prices knock 66% off Emirates' first-half profit
Emirates Group's first-half net profit plunged 66% to $1 billion as the Iran war disrupted flights across the Gulf and doubled jet fuel prices. Passenger numbers at Emirates airline fell 22%, while cargo revenue rose 52%. The Dubai-based group is relying on cash reserves as geopolitical uncertainty clouds its outlook.
Air India breaks ground on Delhi MRO hangar to boost in-house maintenance
Air India has initiated the construction of a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul hangar at Delhi's airport. This facility will enable the airline to streamline maintenance operations and improve fleet reliability. Once completed, it will accommodate both widebody and narrowbody aircraft simultaneously, marking a significant development in aviation. The hangar is designed for scalability and will reduce aircraft ground time significantly.
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Cheaper air tickets may remain a distant dream for Indian flyers
Indian flyers may have to wait longer for airfare relief after the festive season as elevated aviation turbine fuel prices, rupee depreciation and West Asian conflict-related disruptions keep costs high. ICRA expects fares to remain elevated in the near term, with sustained relief depending on lower fuel prices and improved capacity availability.
Aerospace and military contractors raise 2026 profit forecasts
Northrop Grumman and RTX have raised their annual profit forecasts due to strong military demand. The companies reported record backlogs of $109.6 billion and $340 billion respectively. Sustained commercial aerospace services demand has also contributed to their growth. GE Aerospace, while performing well, has warned about potential declines in demand due to high fuel prices.
US Stocks: GE Aerospace raises 2026 profit forecast as services strength drives growth
GE Aerospace has increased its 2026 adjusted earnings forecast due to continued demand for engine maintenance. The demand for spare parts remains high, which supports their financial outlook. Airlines are facing rising fuel costs due to disruptions in oil supply and are adjusting their capacity accordingly. Despite potential pressures on flight schedules, GE Aerospace's revenue from services is expected to remain strong.
Shift to Navi Mumbai or suspend flights: Mumbai airport gives airlines options
MIAL has informed airlines that they can shift operations to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport. The existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will undergo redevelopment until 2030. Airlines have expressed concerns about splitting operations between the two airports due to logistical difficulties. The Airline Operators Committee has rejected the proposed transfer of international operations, demanding more information.
Expensive flights, struggling airlines: Why India's airfare crisis has no easy fix for passengers
India's proposed new airfare framework would require airlines to submit fare structures to the DGCA a month in advance, amid festive-season fare spikes of up to 68% on major domestic routes. Rising fuel costs, limited capacity and airline failures complicate efforts to protect passengers from steep price increases.
US military’s 340-pound solar-powered drone boat explained: How the Lightfish works and monitors border activity
The US is using 340-pound solar-powered Lightfish drone boats in the Gulf of America to monitor maritime activity along its southern border. Built by Seasats, the boats operate without a crew and use onboard sensors to track activity.
Air India tightens spending controls as it battles losses and high fuel costs
Air India is forming a dedicated team to identify cost-saving opportunities in operations while facing significant challenges. The airline is under pressure to restore profitability after recording substantial losses in the past fiscal year. Fresh equity funding is being sought from Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines to stabilize finances. Operational disruptions from regional conflicts and a lack of certifications have complicated recovery efforts.
Ready for take-off? Analysts map the flight path for India's aerospace stocks
India's aerospace sector is poised for multi-year growth, driven by rising aircraft production, defence spending, exports and global supply-chain diversification. Analysts highlight HAL, Data Patterns, Azad Engineering, MTAR Technologies and Unimech Aerospace, while flagging execution risks and elevated valuations.
Air India CEO looks to cut high maintenance bill of A350 fleet engines; sets up committee
Tewolde Gebremariam is exploring ways to reduce the cost of Air India's Airbus A350 maintenance. The airline has faced higher expenses than anticipated for operating and maintaining the Trent XWB engines. This cost review is part of Tewolde's effort to improve the financial performance of the loss-making carrier. Additionally, he aims to enhance cargo operations, which currently utilize only a fraction of their capacity.
Adani Airports vs airlines: Why Mumbai-Navi Mumbai flight shift has triggered a standoff | ET Explainer
Adani Airports is facing resistance from airlines over its plan to temporarily shift international flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai as Terminal 1 undergoes redevelopment. MIAL plans to discontinue 265 of 770 weekly international departures from October 25, affecting 46 airlines, as it creates capacity for displaced domestic passengers.
EXPLAINER: Why are airlines and Adani Airports at odds?
Mumbai's Terminal 1 is set for redevelopment starting in January 2027, which has led to a flight reduction dispute. Airlines are concerned about shifting international flights to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport as it affects their operations. MIAL has planned to temporarily reduce international departures from Terminal 2 while accommodating displaced domestic passengers. The Civil Aviation Ministry is meeting with stakeholders to resolve the issue and finalize flight allocations.
Festive travel squeeze: Domestic airfares jump up to 68% as flight options narrow
Domestic airfares on key routes have surged ahead of the festive and year-end travel season, with Delhi-Hyderabad fares up 68% year-on-year and Mumbai-Kolkata 51%. Airlines have cut domestic flight frequencies by 5% while keeping seat capacity broadly stable, but higher ATF prices and constrained departures are adding pressure on fares.
Defence stocks: Time to change strategy in a bearish market? An ecosystem with down and upside potential of -39% to plus 37%
The current fall is both at the level of the indices and the broader market. And when the selling is this broad, almost every sector is affected. But they do not all feel it equally, and it is worth knowing why every sector behaves differently at different points of time. Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, is a comprehensive report that evaluates five key components of 4,000+ listed stocks – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum – to generate standardised scores. The simple average of the above-mentioned five component ratings is normally distributed to reach an average score.
Drugs, alcohol, bicycle & losses: The strange to-do list awaiting Air India’s new boss Tewolde Gebremariam
Air India’s incoming CEO Tewolde Gebremariam inherits an airline with global ambitions but an unusually complicated to-do list. Beyond tackling a Rs 22,238 crore loss and securing fresh shareholder funding, he must address maintenance issues, cut costs and tighten operational discipline. Recent incidents involving pilots, alcohol and drugs, an alleged assault, a bomb-hoax probe, an immigration lapse and other service issues have added to the challenge. With hundreds of aircraft on order, Tewolde’s task is not simply to grow Air India’s fleet, but to ensure the airline can fund, staff and maintain it while charting a path towards profitability.
China to test supersonic jet, aims to cut Beijing-Shanghai travel time by 75% for 1,075-km trip
China’s TMS-10 project is moving towards a planned supersonic test as researchers work on technology for quieter passenger aircraft. The demonstrator is designed around Mach 2 flight and a low-boom aerodynamic configuration, while a future 10- to 15-seat aircraft is envisioned. NASA is pursuing a separate low-noise approach through its X-59, which is also undergoing supersonic testing.
F-35 parts sent from Australia to US end up in China, report says; investigation underway as fears grow over sensitive stealth technology reaching Beijing
Sensitive components of the US-made F-35 fighter jet were reportedly diverted to Hong Kong while being shipped from Australia to the US for repairs, prompting an investigation and congressional briefings over concerns about potential exposure of sensitive technology. The shipment reportedly included an F-35 cockpit canopy, which contains radar-absorbent material, although there is no public evidence that China obtained or examined the parts.
New CRPF Headquarters with modern facilities likely to be ready by December 2026
The Central Reserve Police Force's new headquarters in New Delhi is nearing completion. This expansive facility is expected to be operational by the end of December this year. The modern building will consolidate various scattered branches of the large paramilitary force. Construction began in 2019, with a revised completion target after initial delays. The new headquarters will enhance the force's operational capabilities and efficiency.
Air India's consolidated loss widens to Rs 22,238 crore in FY26
Air India's consolidated loss widened to over Rs 22,000 crore in fiscal 2025-26. Total income declined while total expenses increased during the same financial period. Aircraft repair costs rose, but fuel expenses saw a decrease. Foreign exchange losses significantly increased, impacting the airline's financial performance. The company expects insurance to cover liabilities from the AI171 accident.
Airlines urge more competition on used jet engine parts
Global airlines are pushing jet-engine makers to make it easier for independent suppliers to sell reconditioned parts, arguing greater competition could ease shortages and maintenance costs. The call follows an EU settlement that forced Pratt & Whitney Canada to loosen restrictions on used turboprop engine parts.
Sri Lankan Airlines appoints Vipul Misra as acting CEO
SriLankan Airlines has appointed Vipul Misra as acting Chief Executive Officer, while he will continue to head its engineering division. Misra brings over two decades of aircraft engineering and aviation leadership experience across Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines and Air Deccan. He holds a master's in aerospace law.
Train garbage problem gets a new fix: Indian Railways develops 367-litre disposal system to reduce overflowing bins & onboard litter
Train garbage disposal system: Indian Railways has developed a new garbage disposal system for LHB coaches to improve waste management during long-distance journeys. The system significantly increases waste storage capacity, holding up to 367.4 litres of refuse. Passengers can dispose of waste through a drop box, which transfers it to an undergear collector. Made of stainless steel, the collector is designed for durability, easy removal and maintenance after journeys.
Indigo flight hits pole while parking at Srinagar airport
An IndiGo flight from Navi Mumbai to Srinagar hit a docking guidance pole while being parked at Srinagar airport on Friday. The aircraft was damaged, but all passengers and crew were safe and no injuries were reported.
HAL shares rise nearly 3% as GE Aerospace delivers 3 more F404 engines for Tejas Mk1A
HAL shares rose nearly 3% after GE Aerospace delivered three F404-IN20 engines in August for India’s LCA Tejas Mk1A programme. The deliveries come amid prolonged supply delays, as HAL works to fulfil Indian Air Force orders for 180 Mk1A fighters. HAL currently has an annual production capacity of 24 aircraft, with engine supplies critical to ramping up production.
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