Global banking group Standard Chartered on Monday said it has closed an operating lease of five new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with domestic carrier Akasa Air.

While the bank already provides Akasa Air with corporate banking solutions and services, this is the first aviation finance transaction with the airline, Standard Chartered said in a statement.

As part of the deal, structured, financed and arranged exclusively by Standard Chartered Aviation Finance, the first four aircraft were delivered to the airline between December 2022 and March this year, it said.

The fifth and final aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2023, Standard Chartered added.

Air India on Monday said it has introduced a "refreshed" inflight food & beverages menus across cabins on all international flights (ex-India), taking up suggestions from passengers. The new menu also includes an array of vegan options for first and business class passengers.

Among the plant-based meal options are Subz Seekh Kebab, Thai Red Curry with Tofu and Vegetables, Broccoli and Millet Steak, and Lemon Sevaiyan Upma, Medu Wada and Masala Uttapam, said Air India in a press statement.

Nestle, Kraft Heinz, Hindustan Unilever, Tata, ITC, Orkla and Nissin Foods are among the contenders for an estimated $1-$1.25 billion plus buyout of Capital Foods Pvt Ltd, the maker of condiments, food products and ingredients under the Ching’s Secret and Smith & Jones brands, said people with knowledge of the matter.

Capital Food’s three main shareholders decided to put the company up for sale late last year. The three are Invus Group, a European family office and investment arm, with a 40% stake, US private equity group General Atlantic (35%) and Ajay Gupta (25%), founder chairman of Capital Foods and a former advertising boss turned food entrepreneur. ET was the first to report on the sale plan November 14, 2022.

Full-service carrier Vistara, a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, on Friday said it will launch direct flight services between Mumbai and London Heathrow, starting June 1.

The services on the new route will be operated five times a week with a Dreamliner Boeing 787-9 aircraft in three-class configuration -- business, premium economy and economy, Vistara said in a statement.

German businessman Patrick Bauer has written complained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the controversial company Zonta Infratech Private Limited and its owner Rajkumar Chellappan Pillai. The German investor alleged in the complaint that he was cheated after investing in India. A copy of the letter was received by Asianet News.

In the complaint, Patrick stated that Rajkumar Pilla is from a political family in Kerala and therefore, he has been struggling for four years now to get back the money invested. He has requested the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and also sought action against Zonta Infratech. The letter also stated that the issue would be a setback for foreign investments in India.