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Welcome to The Morning Report, brought to you by Renil S. Varghese—your quick dive into the top stories shaping the business world today. Fast, insightful, and to the point.

Audio Credit: businessline

1. AAI builds a new runway, expands into the pilot training business

Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to enter the pilot training sector by setting up Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO) facilities at airports across its network. AAI has invited bids for a consultant to prepare an implementation strategy, including market assessment, location selection, infrastructure needs, partnership models and financial projections. The move comes as India’s aviation industry faces rising demand for pilots, with an estimated requirement of 30,000 pilots over the next 15–20 years to support more than 1,700 aircraft on order. Expanded simulator capacity could help reduce dependence on overseas pilot training and strengthen domestic aviation training infrastructure.

2. India’s ₹5,000 crore structured ownership market is rewriting premium car buying

India’s structured vehicle ownership market has grown to an estimated ₹4,500-5,000 crore, reshaping luxury car purchases through guaranteed future value and assured buyback programmes. These models allow buyers to finance only a vehicle’s expected depreciation rather than its full cost. Industry estimates show penetration has risen from 18-20 per cent of luxury vehicle sales in FY24 to 35-40 per cent currently, with even higher adoption in luxury electric vehicles. The model is expanding beyond luxury brands into premium passenger vehicles. Automakers benefit from stronger customer retention and used-car inventory, while buyers gain lower monthly costs and greater flexibility, subject to mileage limits.

3. Tamil Nadu clocks highest growth rate in FY26 exports at 13.7%

Tamil Nadu recorded the highest growth in merchandise exports among Indian states in FY26, with exports rising 13.7 per cent year-on-year to $59.3 billion, according to Commerce Ministry data. The State led India’s electronics exports with $19.9 billion, up 36 per cent, driven by strong smartphone and telecom equipment shipments to the United States. Tamil Nadu accounted for 42 per cent of India’s electronics exports and remained the largest exporter of ready-made garments, despite a 2 per cent decline in that segment. Kanchipuram became the country’s second-largest exporting district. Tamil Nadu’s share of India’s merchandise exports increased to 13.7 per cent in FY26.

4. Rains paralyse Mumbai; connectivity to Pune and Ahmedabad impacted 

Heavy rain disrupted normal life in Mumbai and neighbouring districts on Monday, prompting the Maharashtra government to review anti-flooding measures. The city received 100 to 160 millimetres of rain overnight, while strong winds uprooted around 300 trees. A four-storey building collapsed in Mankhurd, killing six people. Schools and colleges remained closed, and private offices were advised to allow employees to work from home. Waterlogging affected the Mumbai–Ahmedabad rail corridor, while a landslide disrupted traffic on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis placed disaster response agencies on alert and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel amid forecasts of continued heavy rain.

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Published on July 7, 2026