India's three major airlines, Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, have jointly asked the government for relief on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, warning that the industry is close to halting operations. The appeal comes as the conflict in West Asia has pushed up crude oil prices and forced airlines to reroute flights around restricted airspace, adding significant flying time and fuel burn to long-haul routes. ATF is the single largest cost for Indian carriers, typically accounting for 35-40% of total operating expenses. When oil prices rise sharply and routes get longer at the same time, the margin squeeze is immediate and severe. Rerouting around conflict zones can add several hours to a flight, which translates directly into higher fuel costs per trip with no offsetting revenue gain. The airlines have not specified what form of relief they are seeking, but options typically discussed in India include ATF tax cuts by state governments or a reduction in central excise duty. India taxes ATF at rates significantly higher than most aviation markets, a longstanding industry grievance that becomes acute during oil price spikes. Watch for the government's response and whether any state governments move to cut ATF levies, which would offer the fastest route to cost relief for carriers already under financial pressure.
Flipkart will launch a food delivery pilot in Bengaluru by mid-August, charging restaurants a 10-11% commission compared to the 25-35% levied by Swiggy and Zomato. The move targets growing restaurant discontent with incumbent platforms and aims to drive daily engagement across Flipkart's 500 million registered users.
Maruti Suzuki crossed two lakh domestic units in July 2026 for the first time, recording 42.4% year-on-year growth. Total sales including exports and OEM supplies reached 2,41,421 units, with all passenger vehicle segments posting gains.
Air India's net loss more than doubled to ₹22,238 crore in FY26, prompting Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran to extend the Vihaan.AI turnaround timeline from five years to as long as a decade.
UpGrad's all-stock acquisition of Unacademy, valued at Rs 1,955 crore, is set to close within three weeks after CCI clearance and near-complete investor sign-offs. The deal combines upGrad's upskilling business with Unacademy's test prep and medical education platforms, with Gaurav Munjal staying on as CEO.
