India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) is about to expand into civil aviation, the company’s top official says. According to HAL Chairman R. K. Tyagi, India authorities have asked the company to take a primary role in the proposed $14 billion national civil aircraft program to develop a regional transport aircraft. The same authorities also want HAL involved in the design, development and manufacture of unmanned aerial systems.

BENGALURU — India is trimming defense spending for its current fiscal year, which ends March 31, but Defense Minister A.K. Antony says spending on operational preparedness will not suffer. “The government is passing through a difficult phase. The recession is affecting us. There will be a cut in the capital and revenue budget. However, we will not cut the expenditure on operational preparedness,” Antony said Feb. 6 at the kickoff of the 9th Aero India exposition in Bengaluru.

Thomas Cook Group will bring its U.K., German and Belgian airlines under a newly created segment within the group and has appointed a new management board to run the business. The move, which takes effect March 1, is part of Europe’s second-largest travel company’s turnaround plan to revive its profitability.