economy

Adani Group Explores Airline Entry as Centre Considers Policy Change

Published on: 23 Jul 2026, 10:27 AM

The Adani Group, which has built a significant presence in India's aviation ecosystem, is now considering entering the airline business, according to sources familiar with the matter. This marks a shift from its earlier stance of avoiding direct ownership of a carrier.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has begun preliminary internal discussions on easing restrictions that currently prevent airport operators from holding significant stakes in airlines. This follows a request from the Adani Group for an enabling policy environment. If eased, the rules could also allow airlines to acquire stakes in airports.

Currently, operators of Delhi and Mumbai airports cannot hold more than a 10% stake in a scheduled carrier. The Adani Group holds a 74% stake in Mumbai airport, while GMR holds 74% in Delhi airport. The Adani Group is reportedly seeking the removal of this condition.

The government has been encouraging more airlines to enter the market to break the duopoly of IndiGo and the Air India Group, which together hold about 90% domestic market share. Recent operational disruptions at IndiGo, which has over 65% market share, highlighted the risks of high market concentration.

Sources indicate that the Adani Group is considering having its own airline with full control, rather than a minority stake in another carrier. The group operates eight airports in India and has interests in ground handling, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and pilot training. It also plans to set up an aircraft manufacturing facility in partnership with Brazil's Embraer.

In December 2024, Jeet Adani, who oversees the conglomerate's aviation business, stated that the group was not interested in the airline business as it did not fit its capital discipline. However, the government's push for more competition and the group's plans for an Embraer final assembly line have changed the calculus. A source close to the group said that having a captive airline would make sense for the assembly line project.

The Union Cabinet will need to approve any changes to the cross-ownership rules. The Adani Group and MoCA have not responded to queries from The Indian Express.

The airline sector in India has seen several failures due to tough operating conditions, intense price competition, and global supply chain issues. The government believes that deep-pocketed corporate groups are needed to sustain competition in the world's fastest-growing major aviation market.

Source: Indian Express

Latest in Economy 10

economy

Jio Platforms' Rs 30,213-Crore IPO Opens: Price Band, Lot Size and Key Risks

Jio Platforms' Rs 30,213-crore initial public offering opened on 21 October and closes on 23 October, with a price band of Rs 1,065 to Rs 1,119 per share and a minimum investment of Rs 12,780. At the upper band, the listing would value the company at about Rs 10.3 lakh crore, making it India's largest IPO, though analysts point to valuation, regulatory and capital-spending risks.

NDTV 21 Oct 2026, 04:48 AM

economy

Truzon Clean Energies wins ₹236-crore solar EPC order for 72 MW in Maharashtra

Truzon Clean Energies has won a ₹236-crore EPC contract from Hariom Power & Energy for 72 MW of ground-mounted solar projects in Maharashtra, to be built under PM-KUSUM Component C across Hingoli, Latur, Parbhani and Beed districts. The Hyderabad firm, which counts cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma among its investors, says it has already executed 15 MW and expects the full capacity to generate 89.89 million units annually.

The Hindu 18 Oct 2026, 03:37 AM

economy

South Indian Bank posts record ₹426 crore quarterly profit as lending margins widen

South Indian Bank reported its highest-ever quarterly net profit of ₹426.13 crore for the July-September quarter, up 21.28 per cent from a year earlier. Net interest income rose 37.95 per cent to a record ₹1,116 crore and net interest margin improved to 3.33 per cent, while retail deposits grew 14.85 per cent and NRI deposits 15.09 per cent.

The Hindu 18 Oct 2026, 03:46 AM

economy

Supreme Court Sets Aside Yes Bank AT1 Write-Off: What the Ruling Means for Bondholders

The Supreme Court has set aside the write-off of Yes Bank's Additional Tier 1 bonds carried out during its 2020 rescue, holding that the administrator lacked the authority to order it. The bank says its key capital ratio could fall by about 2.5 percentage points, and its shares fell sharply. The ruling could affect how losses are imposed on bondholders in future bank rescues.

NDTV 16 Oct 2026, 05:46 AM

economy

Mumbai Restaurant Bills Set to Rise 10–15% as AHAR Cites Surging Gas, Food and Rent Costs

Restaurants in Mumbai are expected to raise menu prices by 10% to 15% in the coming weeks, according to the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, which cites higher commercial gas, food, rental and labour costs. AHAR president Vijay K. Shetty said the revision is needed to sustain operations, not for profiteering. The increase will not be uniform, with each establishment deciding its own timing and extent.

The Hindu 16 Oct 2026, 03:30 AM

economy

Rupee gains 44 paise to 94.92 as RBI steps in to curb dollar demand

The rupee appreciated 44 paise to 94.92 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Wednesday, helped by RBI measures to reduce near-term dollar demand and curb speculation. The currency has now gained for three consecutive sessions, though traders expect external pressures to limit further gains. Domestic equities opened marginally lower.

The Hindu 14 Oct 2026, 05:00 AM

economy

Sitharaman Says She Will 'Keenly Hear' Views on LTCG and STT as Markets Rise 1%

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she would keenly hear views on the long-term capital gains tax and the securities transaction tax, without confirming whether either would be considered in the Budget 2027 preparations. She also said the RBI would continue acting to curb rupee volatility rather than fix its level, shortly after which the stock market rose about 1%.

The Hindu 13 Oct 2026, 01:44 PM

economy

Chennai Dominates Tamil Nadu's Residential Market with 51.5% of Launches: Report

A report by JLL released at CREDAI Tamil Nadu's STATECON 2026 reveals that Chennai accounts for 51.5% of the state's residential launches, while plotted developments dominate secondary growth corridors. The conference discussed strategies to support Tamil Nadu's ambition of becoming a $1.5-trillion economy by 2036, including regulatory reforms and affordable housing.

The Hindu 11 Oct 2026, 01:52 PM

economy

Tomato prices rise in Andhra Pradesh as Madanapalle arrivals fall ahead of festive season

Tomato prices in Andhra Pradesh's Rayalaseema districts have risen after arrivals at the Madanapalle market yard fell to 62 tonnes on Wednesday from 88 tonnes a day earlier, with first-grade produce quoted at ₹410 per 10 kg. Retail prices are ruling at ₹45 to ₹50 a kg in Madanapalle, Kadapa, Tirupati and Kurnool. Traders expect prices to stay firm through the Dasara, Diwali and Ayyappa Deeksha season unless arrivals improve, while farmers say retail rates do not fully reach them after costs.

The Hindu 01 Oct 2026, 03:30 AM

economy

CAG flags 12,393 acres of Odisha industrial land lying unutilised, encroachments unchecked

A CAG report tabled in the Odisha Assembly has found that 12,393.651 acres of land allotted for industry between 1981 and 2021 were never used for their sanctioned purpose, with a further 252.692 acres diverted. The audit also flagged 668.893 acres of government land worth ₹597.87 crore under unauthorised occupation, including 10 acres of Bhubaneswar forestland held by the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences despite a pending case.

The Hindu 29 Sep 2026, 01:48 PM

→ View All Economy News