India-made first C-295 aircraft ready for flight test at Tata-Airbus Vadodara plant

 India has crossed a major milestone in defence aviation manufacturing with the completion of the first domestically assembled Airbus C-295 aircraft at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara. The aircraft is now being readied for its inaugural flight test under the Centre’s Make in India initiative.

The Indian Air Force said Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti recently visited the final assembly line at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)-Airbus plant to review progress on the first India-manufactured C-295 transport aircraft.

The project is part of India’s Rs 21,935 crore agreement with Spain for 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft. While 16 aircraft are being delivered in fly-away condition from Spain, the remaining 40 are being produced in India.

The Vadodara final assembly line was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on October 28, 2024.

The C-295 aircraft is set to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 fleet and will significantly boost tactical airlift capability. The medium transport aircraft can be used for troop deployment, cargo transport, medical evacuation missions and special operations.

The aircraft can carry up to 70 troops, 48 paratroopers or 24 stretchers for medical evacuation. Equipped with two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines, the C-295 is capable of operating from short and semi-prepared airstrips, including remote and mountainous areas.

17/05/2026 Moneycontrol

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India's Keen Eyes On Sri Lanka's EOI Offer To Lease Airport Near Hambantota Port

New Delhi : India is closely monitoring Sri Lanka's decision to offer foreign investors control of an airport near the China-controlled Hambantota port, as it could present a rare opening for Indian firms seeking strategic footholds in the Indian Ocean, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. The Sri Lankan government has already called for expressions of interest from domestic and international investors by June 9 to take control of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota under a 30-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) model.

In 2017, China gained control of the strategic Hambantota port through a 99-year lease that had raised concerns in New Delhi in view of the location of the mega transit hub.

New Delhi is watching the new opportunity with a keen eye, as both neighbouring countries have been looking to forge greater trade and strategic relations following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the island nation in April last year.

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, located about 250 km from the capital Colombo, has endured a troubled first decade, the people said.

17/05/2026 Deccan Chronicle

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SriLankan Airlines accuses Indian employees in its Chennai office of Rs 22 million fraud

SriLankan Airlines has accused several Indian employees at its Chennai office of allegedly misappropriating funds worth Rs 22 million, saying the fraud involved tampering with invoices, payment details and signatures.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the airline said the alleged fraud was carried out by a few Indian nationals working in the finance department at its Chennai office.

"With regard to the misappropriation of funds at SriLankan Airlines' office in Chennai, the airline wishes to inform that a few employees, all Indian nationals working in the finance department in Chennai are alleged to have misappropriated a total of INR 22 million over a period of time by fraudulently altering invoices, payment details and signatures," it said.

SriLankan Airlines said Indian law enforcement authorities have been informed and investigations are underway to recover the losses.

17/05/2026 PTI/New Indian Express

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Why inaugural Air India flight at Ludhiana’s Halwara airport missed water cannon salute

The first-ever Air India flight that reached at Halwara International Airport on May 15 missed the water cannon salute, which is generally given to the first flight at any new airport.

Also called a water arch salute, the tradition involves airport fire trucks spraying large arcs of water over an aircraft as it moves on the runway for the first time. Though arrangements had reportedly been made at Halwara Airport, the ceremony could not take place due to ‘safety concerns’.

Sources informed The Tribune that airport authorities were ready for the salute, but the Air Force withheld permission at the last moment due to safety concerns. Officials, however, refused to provide further details.

“The ceremony hardly makes any difference, but it remains a memorable experience,” said an official at Halwara Airport.

17/05/2026 Shiavani Bhakoo/Tribune

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India Eyes Strategic Foothold at Sri Lanka's 'World's Emptiest Airport'

India is closely monitoring Sri Lanka's offer to foreign investors to control the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport near the China-controlled Hambantota port. This opportunity provides Indian firms a strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean, countering the location's increasing Chinese influence, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The Sri Lankan government has invited expressions of interest from investors to manage the airport under a 30-year build-operate-transfer model. Known infamously as the 'world's emptiest airport', the facility has struggled with low traffic since its 2013 inception, despite significant investment.

The investment opportunity comes with two tracks: aerodrome operations and landside development. India sees strategic value in this development, aiming to boost its growing aviation sector with Mattala's resources, which include ample land for MRO facilities and a potential flying school.

17/05/2026 Devdiscourse

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Bangkok flyer arrested with Rs 6.5 crore ganja at Ahmedabad Airport

Customs officers at Ahmedabad airport have seized hybrid marijuana worth more than Rs 6.5 crore from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. The accused was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, officials said.

The seizure was made during the intervening night of May 16 and 17 after officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted the passenger based on specific intelligence inputs and profiling.

According to the customs officials, the accused, an Indian national and resident of Raipur in Chhattisgarh, had arrived in Ahmedabad from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG-343. During a detailed baggage inspection, officers discovered six vacuum-sealed packets concealed inside a trolley bag.

The packets contained a green, dried plant-like substance which, upon examination, was identified as marijuana, commonly known as ganja. Officials said a total of 6.54 kilograms of the contraband was recovered during the operation.

The seized narcotics are estimated to have a market value exceeding Rs 6.5 crore. Authorities suspect the contraband to be hydroponic or hybrid marijuana, a high-grade variant of cannabis that has increasingly surfaced in smuggling cases across major Indian airports.

17/05/2026 Brijesh Doshi/India Today

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Bhogapuram airport land row: Viral video shows JCB moving elderly protesters demanding higher compensation

 

In a shocking incident, a private excavator operator used machinery to move two elderly people, including a woman, who staged a sit-in on a JCB bucket demanding compensation for land acquired for the Bhogapuram Airport.

The incident occurred in Baireddipalem village of Bhogapuram mandal when revenue officials attempted to proceed with approach road works for the airport. Though it happened on Friday evening, it came to light on Saturday after a video of the excavator operator moving the elderly protesters on the JCB bucket went viral on social media, exposing the high-handed behaviour of the operator in the presence of revenue and police personnel.

According to sources, at least 39 families from Baireddipalem village gave land for the airport approach road a few months ago. The government paid compensation to displaced families as per land acquisition norms. Of them, 15 families accepted the compensation, while the remaining refused it, demanding additional house sites. The revenue officials then sent the awards to the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority (LARRA) and launched the road works. The displaced families were unable to receive the awards through LARRA due to the court’s summer vacation.

17/05/2026 Sreenu Babu Pativada/New Indian Express

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‘Meet and fleece’ service at city airport

Chennai: Staff providing the meet-and-greet service, outsourced by the airport authority, were removed from service after they demanded money over and above the prescribed charges for offering escort and trolley services to a customer.

A family recently sought porterage service for senior citizens. Though the family paid 1,000, the personnel demanded another 1,000 for pushing the trolley to the exit. After the issue was escalated on social media, Chennai airport authorities responded that the personnel had been identified by the licensee and removed from service.

Airport sources said that the licensee was warned that such incidents should not recur. However, frequent flyers say that the meet-and-greet personnel have become a nuisance over time. "The moment we politely refuse their service, their behaviour changes. Paying them extra has become almost mandatory," said A Sam, who recently visited her daughter in the UK.

17/05/2026 Venkadesan S/Times of India

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Karnataka plans major drone hub near Bengaluru airport

 Karnataka is planning to establish a dedicated drone flight testing facility in Chikkaballapur near Bengaluru airport, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s rapidly growing drone ecosystem.

The proposed facility, expected to spread across 10 acres, was discussed during a high-level drone industry consultation chaired by Priyank Kharge on May 15 in Bengaluru.

The consultation was organised by the Karnataka Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India. Industry leaders, startups, policymakers, and drone technology experts participated in the meeting to discuss the future of drone innovation and infrastructure in the state.

The proposed testing facility is expected to provide companies and startups with a dedicated and regulated space to test drone technologies safely. The move comes as Karnataka continues positioning itself as a leading hub for aerospace, defence technology, artificial intelligence, and emerging tech innovation.

Officials believe the facility will support research, pilot training, product validation, and commercial drone operations, while also attracting investments and encouraging local manufacturing.

The state government is also looking at policies that can help startups scale operations in the drone sector. Industry stakeholders reportedly discussed easing regulatory hurdles, improving infrastructure, and creating stronger collaboration between government bodies and private firms.

16/05/2026 News Karnataka

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Belagavi Airport Push Gains Pace: New Flights, Bigger Terminal, 12 Aircraft Bays Planned

 Jagadish Shettar chaired the Belagavi Aerodrome Advisory Committee meeting and reviewed the ongoing expansion and infrastructure works at Sambra Airport, with a strong focus on improving connectivity and speeding up pending development projects.

During the meeting, Shettar held discussions with senior Air Force officials regarding the transfer of around 15 to 16 acres of land currently under Air Force control, which is required for the construction of a parallel taxiway and to meet mandatory DGCA safety norms. Officials informed the committee that a consolidated proposal for nearly 32 acres has already been forwarded by the district administration to the Karnataka government and is awaiting approval.

The MP also urged airline operators, including IndiGo and Star Air, to introduce new flights from Belagavi to cities such as Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur. The airline representatives reportedly responded positively to the request. Members also sought the restart of discontinued routes from Belagavi Airport.

To improve passenger convenience, the committee discussed introducing AC bus services between Belagavi Airport and the railway station based on flight timings, similar to services recently started at Hubballi Airport. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation officials were instructed to take immediate action on the proposal.

16/05/2026 All About Belgaum

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SpiceJet Pune-Delhi Flight Delayed Nearly 13 Hours, Over 100 Passengers Stranded

 More than 100 passengers booked on SpiceJet’s Pune-Delhi morning flight were left stranded at Pune airport on Friday after the flight was delayed by nearly 13 hours.

Flight SG937 was scheduled to depart from Pune at 5.55 am and reach Delhi at 8.30 am. However, after multiple revisions through the day, the aircraft finally took off around 6.45 pm and was expected to land in Delhi at 9.20 pm.

According to passengers, they were first informed that the flight had been rescheduled to 9.30 am. They later boarded the aircraft as per the revised timing.

However, after waiting inside the aircraft for nearly two hours, a cabin crew member reportedly informed the passangers that a minor technical issue was being fixed. Soon after, passengers were asked to deboard.

The sudden deboarding created a frustration in passangers as many of them had connecting plans, work commitments and family obligations in Delhi.

Passengers said the flight timing kept changing throughout the day. First, they were told it would leave at 9.30 am. Later, the time was changed to 1 pm, then 3 pm, and finally 5 pm.

In afternoon, passengers became angry and frustrated. Some of them argued with the airline staff because they were not getting clear information about the actual departure time.

16/05/2026 Aashlesha Kakde/Pune Mirror

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Seaplane services from Vizag yet to take wings

 Though it has been proposed to launch seaplane services from Vizag long ago, the project is yet to take wings.

Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam is one among the locations where seaplane services have been proposed.

The Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) has identified

Amaravati (Prakasam Barrage), Tirupati (Kalyani Dam), Gandikota, Araku, Lambasingi, Konaseema, Srisailam, and Rushikonda.

To boost water-based aviation and tourism, seaplane services have been proposed in the State as part of a massive Rs 8,650-crore State tourism expansion.

Feasibility surveys have already been conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department and airline operators for a route connecting Rushikonda to the Jolaput Reservoir.

Officials have also conducted surveys and submitted feasibility reports for a seaplane circuit connecting Vizag to the Upper Sileru dam in ASR district.

16/05/2026 Lakkoju Nagesh Babu/Yo! Vizag

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BLR Airport: 400 Mn Passengers, Strong FY26 Growth

The Kempegowda International Airport here crossed the 400 million passenger milestone in April since commencing operations, as strong international traffic growth and cargo expansion helped drive overall performance in FY 2025–26, officials said on Saturday.

This was noted at the 134th Board Meeting of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), chaired by Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, while reviewing the key achievements, performance highlights, and developmental initiatives undertaken by Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) during FY 2025–26, they said.

According to an official statement, during FY 2025–26, BLR Airport handled 44.47 million passengers and 532,000 metric tonnes of cargo, reflecting strong and sustained momentum across both passenger and cargo segments.

Growth was driven by a significant surge in international passenger traffic, steady domestic demand, and strengthening cargo operations, it said.

According to officials, international traffic led the growth, rising 23.9 per cent to 7.23 million passengers, while domestic traffic grew 3.3 per cent to 37.24 million passengers, taking overall passenger traffic up 6.2 per cent year-on-year.

"This performance, despite geopolitical and sectoral headwinds, reflects Bengaluru's increasing global relevance as a business and innovation hub. BLR Airport currently offers non-stop connectivity to more than 78 domestic and 34 international destinations," the statement said.

16/05/2026 PTI/Rediff

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Flights From Delhi May Get Cheaper As Tax On Aviation Fuel Slashed

New Delhi: Flying from Delhi could become slightly cheaper in the coming months as the national capital's government has slashed the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 25 per cent to 7 per cent.

The decision, approved by the Delhi Cabinet on Friday, is expected to reduce fuel costs for airlines operating out of the national capital. The revised VAT rate will remain in place for six months initially, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said.

The move comes at a time when airlines are facing rising operational costs amid global geopolitical tensions and volatile crude oil prices.

"ATF accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the total operational cost of airlines. High tax rates directly impact ticket prices and the financial health of the aviation sector," Gupta said.

Aviation Turbine Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for airlines, and state-level taxes play a major role in determining fuel costs.

Even after the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, ATF continues to remain outside the GST framework, allowing states to levy VAT separately. Delhi earlier imposed one of the highest VAT rates on aviation fuel in the country.

With the tax now reduced to 7 per cent, airlines could see lower operating costs on flights originating from Delhi. While there has been no immediate announcement on airfare reductions, aviation analysts say lower fuel taxes can ease pricing pressure on carriers over time.

16/05/2026 Ishika Verma/NDTV

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Delhi government reduces VAT on aviation turbine fuel from 25% to 7%

The Delhi government on Saturday announced its decision to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

According to the the chief minister's office Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 25 per cent to 7 per cent, according to the chief minister's office, as quoted by ANI, claiming it to be a move to to benefit airlines, passengers.

“Delhi government has decided to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from the existing 25 per cent to 7 per cent, a move which is likely to benefit the airlines and common passengers,” the official statement said.

This comes a day after Maharashtra reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to 7 per cent from 18 per cent for six months, effective May 15, to ease fuel costs for airlines amid high global crude prices and West Asia-related disruptions.

16/05/2026 Times of India

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C-295, India's first privately manufactured military aircraft, ready for maiden flight; delivery soon

 New Delhi: For years, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was responsible for designing and making transport aircraft for the Indian Armed Forces, but that is likely to change quickly, as C-295 military transport aircraft is likely to get its first flight soon.

The C-295 is being built in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) of Gujarat's Vadodara. It is being built under the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanibhar Bharat' initiatives to make the Indian Armed Forces self-reliant. 

Recently, a video of the aircraft had also gone viral on social media, which created a buzz that the C-295 is ready for its delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Later, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor also visited the TASL's unit in Vadodara which further triggered the chatter.

"Deputy Chief of the Air Staff visited the final assembly line of the C-295 at Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Vadodara, where the first C-295 under the Make in India initiative is getting ready for its first flight," the IAF posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. "The program, executed in partnership between TASL and Airbus, represents a major advancement in indigenous aerospace manufacturing and is a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat."

The IAF aims to replace the ageing Avro-748 planes, which entered the service around six decades ago, through the C-295 aircraft, which is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.

16/05/2026 India TV

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India raises export duty on petrol, cuts those on diesel and aviation fuel

 India raised its export duty on petrol and cut ​those on diesel and aviation ​fuel, its government said in a statement ⁠late on Friday, within a day ​of raising retail fuel prices for the ​first time since the Iran war started.

The duty on exports of petrol has been raised to ​3 rupees ($0.0313) per litre while that ​on diesel has been cut to 16.5 rupees ‌per ⁠litre, the statement said. Export duties on aviation fuel have been cut to 16 rupees per litre.

The rates are being ​revised on ​a fortnightly ⁠basis and are based on the average international prices of ​crude oil, petrol, diesel and ​ATF ⁠during the period since the last review.

There is no change in the existing excise ⁠duty ​rates on petrol and ​diesel cleared for domestic consumption.

15/05/2026 Reuters

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Bengaluru Airport hits 400 mn passenger milestone, posts strong FY26 growth

 The Kempegowda International Airport here crossed the 400 million passenger milestone in April since commencing operations, as strong international traffic growth and cargo expansion helped drive overall performance in FY 202526, officials said on Saturday.

This was noted at the 134th Board Meeting of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), chaired by Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, while reviewing the key achievements, performance highlights, and developmental initiatives undertaken by Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) during FY 202526, they said.

According to an official statement, during FY 202526, BLR Airport handled 44.47 million passengers and 532,000 metric tonnes of cargo, reflecting strong and sustained momentum across both passenger and cargo segments.

16/05/2026 Business Standard

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India Aviation Infrastructure Plans Skyrocket

 India is planning a nationwide overhaul of its aviation backbone, rolling out its most aggressive expansion yet with up to $40 billion planned through to 2040. Airbus forecasts the commercial fleet will triple to 2,250 aircraft by 2035, even as the airport network expands from 149 to 200‑plus, backed by parallel build‑outs in maintenance-repair-operations (MRO), hangars, vertiports, air traffic control modernization and clean‑energy aviation assets.

The estimated $18-24 billion airport procurement pipeline over the next four years is shifting from mega-hubs to a wider grid of small and mid‑sized airports, opening global opportunities. Planned upgrades include terminal expansions, longer runways, larger aprons, new tech blocks and expanded city‑side assets. Greenfield sites include Parandur, Puri, Dholera, Kota, Alwar, Mandi, Raichur, Doloo, Kottayam, Sonepur and Saharsa.

Business aviation growth is triggering over 30 new terminals this decade—a $1.2–1.8 billion build‑out—while some $4-5 billion in cargo infrastructure is planned across 20–25 airports.

“India’s aviation‑infrastructure push has become far more predictable and investible, with liberalized foreign direct investment norms, stronger regulators, clearer concession frameworks and wider use of arbitration improving contractual certainty,” says Sonam Chandwani, managing partner, KS Legal & Associates.

Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL) managing director and CEO Vinayak Pai says the company is moving into deeper roles across airports, MRO complexes, renewable‑energy power bases, and cargo and logistics infrastructure.

TPL's partnership with Yamuna International Airport and Zurich Airport International for Delhi’s second international airport at Jewar is “one of our most iconic programs.” The scope includes a terminal, a 4‑km runway, airside and landside systems, utilities, cargo terminal, an air traffic control tower and ancillary facilities with a workforce exceeding 100,000, he adds.

“A runway looks simple but is extremely complex," he notes. "You move layer by layer, integrate electrical conduits, design drainage and future‑proof the entire system."

Renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting and sustainable materials have been integrated. Connectivity is anchored by the Yamuna Expressway, with future multimodal links planned. Designed for long‑term expansion, the airport will scale to 70 million passengers annually, two runways, expanded terminal capacity and aircraft maintenance infrastructure.

15/05/2026 Neelam Mathews/Engineering News-Record

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Air India weighed down by external shocks: Singapore Air CEO

A day after Singapore Airlines disclosed that mounting losses at Air India had dragged down its annual profit by 57%, chief executive Goh Choon Phong blamed geopolitical disruptions, Pakistani airspace restrictions, and currency volatility for the Indian carrier's deteriorating financial performance, while reiterating commitment to the airline's long-term turnaround.

Speaking at a post-earnings investors' call Friday, Goh said Air India had been hit by a combination of external shocks that sharply inflated costs and disrupted international operations, particularly on routes to North America.

Air India's losses more than doubled to ₹25,606 crore in FY26, according to results released by Singapore IA, which owns 25.1% of the Tata Group-backed carrier. Singapore Airlines said its net profit fell to S$1.18 billion for the year ended March 31, from S$2.78 billion a year earlier, after booking a S$945.2 million share of losses from Air India. Last year's earnings had been boosted by a one-time S$1.1 billion accounting gain tied to the Air India-Vistara merger.

The losses reflect the first full year of exposure to Air India's financial performance following the merger of Vistara with Air India in November 2024.

"The closure of Pakistani airspace affects only Indian-based operations, not anyone else," Goh said, referring to restrictions that forced Air India to operate longer, fuel-intensive detours on key long-haul routes while foreign rivals continued using shorter flight paths.

16/05/2026 Economic Times

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Gold Bars Worth Rs 5.5 Crore Hidden In Pants, US Man Caught At Delhi Airport

A US citizen of Indian origin, arriving from the US, was arrested at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport after he concealed 115 gold bars, worth Rs 5.5 crore, inside his trousers. 

The man arrived in Delhi from San Francisco on Friday. Customs officials had received intelligence inputs that certain international smugglers were attempting to ship large consignments of gold to India in recent days. Based on this specific input, special surveillance measures were implemented at the International Arrivals Terminal of IGI Airport.

As soon as the suspicious passenger disembarked, the Customs' Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials began closely monitoring his movements. The accused attempted to exit the airport without undergoing any inspection. However, his body language and movements heightened the officials' suspicions.

The Customs team intercepted the passenger for questioning. A personal search was conducted, and his luggage was examined in the presence of independent witnesses. 115 gold bars, weighing over 3.5 kg, were recovered from the accused during the search. 

16/05/2026 Mukesh Singh Sengar/NDTV

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Jaipur International Airport gets award for initiatives in climate resilience

Jaipur International Airport Limited (JIAL) has received the Silver Recognition at the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East Green Airports Recognition 2026 awards.

Presented under the theme “Climate Change Adaptation,” the honour recognises the airport’s initiatives in climate resilience and environmentally responsible operations.

Jaipur International Airport, located in a semi-arid region frequently affected by heat waves, has developed a “Cool Terminal” ecosystem aimed at improving both energy efficiency and passenger comfort. As part of the initiative, Terminal 2 was upgraded with high-performance glass and insulated roofing to reduce indoor heat gain.

Combined with energy-efficient cooling systems and on-site solar power generation, these measures have reduced HVAC energy consumption by nearly 35% and lowered surface temperatures by 6–10 degree C.

The airport’s sustainability initiatives have also resulted in an annual reduction of more than 200 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, supporting India’s broader climate and environmental objectives.

16/05/2026 IANS/Punjab Kesari

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Bihar’s Raxaul Airport to Handle Rafale Jets, Direct Delhi Flights by 2029

Raxaul: People from Bihar’s West Champaran and East Champaran districts will soon be able to fly directly to Delhi and other major Indian cities from Raxaul instead of travelling to Kathmandu in Nepal, Gorakhpur or Patna to catch flights. The long-awaited expansion of Raxaul Airport has gathered pace and the airport is expected to become operational before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

The redevelopment project is not only expected to improve civilian air connectivity in north Bihar but is also being viewed as strategically important for India’s defence preparedness due to its proximity to the Nepal-China border.

The Raxaul Airport runway is being expanded from the existing 1,000 metres to 2,360 metres, making it 288 metres longer than the runway at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, which currently has a runway length of 2,072 metres.

After expansion, the airport will be capable of handling large passenger aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 planes. This will pave the way for direct commercial flights connecting the Champaran region with Delhi and other metropolitan cities.

The Bihar government has already released Rs 207.70 crore for acquisition of 139 acres of additional land required for the project. According to officials from the state aviation department, around 60% of the required land acquisition work has already been completed.

16/05/2026 Patna Press

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