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Air India has temporarily removed a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from service after a pilot identified a potential malfunction with the aircraft’s fuel control switch. This specific component is currently under investigation regarding a fatal aviation disaster that occurred in June last year, claiming 260 lives.

The Tata Group and Singapore Airlines-owned carrier confirmed the grounding in a statement on Monday, February 2nd, 2026. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety, stating, “We have grounded said aircraft and are involving the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to get the pilot’s concerns checked on a priority basis.” The matter has been formally reported to India’s primary aviation regulatory body.

This incident brings renewed scrutiny to both Air India and Boeing. The airline sought to reassure the public and regulators by confirming it had previously inspected the fuel control switches across its entire fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft. This inspection was conducted in compliance with a directive issued by regulators following last year’s tragic crash, with the airline reporting no anomalies at that time.

As of the initial report, Boeing and India’s Civil Aviation Ministry had not issued an immediate public response to requests for comment from Reuters. The situation highlights the ongoing safety protocols and heightened vigilance within the aviation industry following major accidents.

Sharjah’s property market has witnessed a remarkable surge in Kuwaiti investment, with figures reaching Dh1.049 billion in 2025—a substantial 73% increase from previous years. This growth underscores deepening economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, reflecting robust confidence in Sharjah’s investment landscape bolstered by legislative stability and advanced infrastructure.

The latest data released by the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department during UAE–Kuwait Relations Week reveals Kuwaiti nationals now hold ownership of 5,660 properties in the emirate. The investment presence extends beyond mere ownership, with Kuwaiti investors playing a pioneering role as some of the earliest real estate developers in Sharjah, currently managing 13 active development projects.

Trading activity showed exceptional dynamism, with Kuwaiti investors transacting 868 properties in 2025, representing a 51.7% growth from the 573 properties traded in 2024. The number of individual Kuwaiti investors similarly expanded to 811—a 38.2% increase from the previous year’s 587 investors.

Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Director General of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, emphasized that these investments reflect the profound fraternal and historical relations between the two nations. ‘Kuwaiti investors demonstrate clear confidence in Sharjah’s secure and stimulating investment environment, supported by flexible legislation, advanced real estate services, and a sustainable development vision,’ Al-Shamsi stated. He further noted that Sharjah’s appeal to Kuwaiti investors signifies aligned values and visions, embodying a genuine economic partnership that continues to flourish, particularly within the real estate sector—a key driver of economic development.

In a significant move to modernize its customs regulations, the Indian government has announced a comprehensive update to passenger baggage rules, substantially increasing duty-free allowances for travelers. The revisions, introduced during the India Budget 2026 presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, mark a substantial shift in the country’s approach to personal imports.

Under the new framework, female passengers returning to India can now carry up to 40 grams of gold jewelry without incurring customs charges, while other passengers are permitted up to 20 grams as part of their personal baggage allowance. This represents a meaningful liberalization of previous restrictions on precious metal imports.

The reforms extend beyond gold to encompass general goods allowances. Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin now benefit from a raised duty-free threshold of ₹75,000 (approximately Dh3,000), a 50% increase from the previous ₹50,000 limit. Foreign tourists similarly see their allowance elevated to ₹25,000 (Dh1,000) from the earlier ₹15,000 cap.

Complementing these changes, Minister Sitharaman announced a substantial reduction in tariff rates for dutiable goods imported for personal use, cutting the rate from 20% to 10%. This measure aims to rationalize the customs duty structure while reducing the financial burden on legitimate travelers.

Legal experts have welcomed these developments as a modernization of India’s duty-free framework. Nupur Maheshwari, executive partner at Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan attorneys, noted that the updated rules represent a significant step forward in aligning India’s customs procedures with contemporary travel patterns and economic realities, particularly through clarified transfer-of-residence benefits and updated threshold conditions.

Air India Express has initiated a significant promotional campaign titled the ‘Xpress More Sale,’ offering substantial discounts of up to 20% on both domestic and international flight routes. The airline has made approximately five million seats available at these specially reduced fares, marking one of its most extensive sales initiatives to date.

The sale commenced with exclusive early access for customers through the airline’s official website and mobile application on February 1, 2026. The general public sale period runs from February 2 through February 5, 2026, with travel validity extending from February 11 to December 31, 2026, covering the airline’s comprehensive network of destinations.

For Gulf region travelers, the promotional ‘Lite’ fares present particularly attractive pricing options, starting at Dh320 for UAE-India routes, OMR23, BHD46, QAR378, KWD27, and SAR286 for other Gulf destinations. These budget-friendly Lite fares, while excluding checked baggage, offer the flexibility of subsequent upgrades at discounted rates—specifically Rs2,500 for 20kg baggage allowance on international sectors.

The discount structure applies across all cabin classes, including 20% reductions on Prime and Standard seating options, which incorporate complimentary hot meal services. Premium travelers can access enhanced savings through the NeuPass loyalty program, which provides an additional 25% discount on Business Class accommodations available on the airline’s newly acquired Boeing 737-8 aircraft fleet.

Notable consumer benefits include waived convenience fees for all bookings made directly through Air India Express digital platforms, along with one complimentary date change facility for reservations made during the sale period. The airline has also implemented specialized fare categories for students, senior citizens, and armed forces personnel, maintaining the zero convenience fee advantage for these segments.

Payment flexibility remains a key feature of this promotion, with options including EMI facilities and Buy Now, Pay Later plans. Additionally, select Visa cardholders can avail themselves of instant discounts worth Rs250 on domestic flights and Rs600 on international routes.

Air India Express maintains operational connectivity across 45 domestic and 17 international destinations throughout South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf region, operating over 500 daily flights with its expanding fleet.