Author: Neel Achary

Scoot Expands Network in Indonesia with New Flights to Belitung and Pontianak

Singapore, Apr 09: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), today announced the launch of new flight services to Belitung and Pontianak in Indonesia. Operated by the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, these flights will commence in May and June 2026 respectively, offering travellers greater accessibility and more options for travel. 

Belitung is a tropical gem tucked away in the eastern coast of Sumatra, and known for its unique geological formations, rich biodiversity, and pristine coastlines. The island is also home to the Belitung Tarsier, a nocturnal primate subspecies unique to the island. From 3 May 2026, Scoot will launch two times weekly flights to Belitung. 

Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, sits directly on the equator and is home to the Equator Monument, where visitors can stand between the northern and southern hemispheres. This culturally rich riverside city, set along Indonesia’s longest river, the Kapuas River, also enjoys a reputation as a food haven with its wide variety of local specialities. From 29 June 2026, Scoot will operate three times weekly flights to Pontianak. 

With the launch of services to Belitung and Pontianak, Scoot’s network will increase to 85 destinations across 18 countries and territories.

In addition to the new destinations, Scoot will also be increasing flight frequencies within its network to support the demand for air travel, especially during the upcoming school holiday season. 

From April 2026, flights to Phuket will increase from 17 to 21 times weekly and flights to Sibu will increase from three to four times weekly. From June 2026, flights to Bali and Jakarta will increase from 28 to 35 times weekly. In the same month, services to Labuan Bajo will increase from two to three times weekly, services to Lombok will increase from four to 10 times weekly and services to Manado will increase from six times weekly to daily flights. 

In North Asia, frequencies to Okinawa will increase from three to four times weekly from April 2026. Similarly, frequencies to Changsha will increase from four to five times weekly. In Europe, frequencies to Vienna will increase from three to four times weekly from June 2026. 

Mr Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer of Scoot, said, “The addition of new routes to Belitung and Pontianak not only enhances Scoot’s footprint in Indonesia, but also strengthens the SIA Group’s network connectivity through Singapore. The increase in flight frequencies to many popular destinations will also support demand for travel as we head into the school holiday season. We remain committed to providing our customers with more travel options and enjoyable journeys with Scoot.” 

Flight schedules are subject to government and regulatory approvals or changes. For more information on flight schedules.

PFRDA and Industry Partners Introduce “NPS Swasthya” to Integrate Retirement Savings and Healthcare Accessibility

Bengaluru, India  Apr 09: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the second POC(under regulatory sandbox) of NPS Swasthya, an initiative intended to provide for healthcare funding alongwith retirement planning. NPS Swasthya is a multi-partner initiative structured to provide comprehensive financial and health security. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) serves as the regulatory authority. Medi Assist Healthcare Services acts as the core technology partner, providing digital infrastructure. CAMS KRA supports subscriber onboarding and KYC enablement. Tata Pension Fund and Axis Pension Fund serve as the designated pension fund managers. Aditya Birla Health Insurance provides the integrated top-up insurance cover, and Medi Assist TPA manages claims administration.

The initiative addresses a growing gap in India’s retirement landscape, where healthcare costs are projected to rise by 11.5%–14% in 2026, significantly outpacing inflation and putting long-term financial security under pressure for millions. This comes at a time when the pension ecosystem is rapidly scaling, with National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) having a cumulative subscriber base of 9.64 crore and combined assets under management pegged at INR 16,55,655 crore (as of 29 March 2026).

National Pension System (NPS) funds have traditionally remained locked until the subscriber reaches retirement age. NPS Swasthya is designed to provide subscribers access to a “Net Eligible Balance” up to 25% of their contributions. Subscribers can access these retirement units for immediate medical expenses through the MAven App, developed by Medi Assist Healthcare Services, which features direct integration with the CAMS Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) API.

Key Highlights

● NPS Swasthya funds managed by Tata Pension Fund and Axis Pension Fund. NPS Swasthya is being launched under the Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF) of the National Pension System, which enables subscribers to allocate their investments across multiple schemes offered by different pension fund managers. This framework enhances flexibility and choice, allowing investors to tailor their retirement portfolio to their evolving needs while seamlessly integrating features such as healthcare preparedness within the broader NPS structure.

● Health Coverage Integration: The program combines NPS savings, standard health benefits, and a Group Health Super Top-Up insurance plan from Aditya Birla Health Insurance.

● Integrated Technology Platform: The technology architecture powering NPS Swasthya combines the strengths of CAMS and Medi Assist to deliver a seamless subscriber experience. The CAMS platform will enable subscribers to easily select suitable schemes, complete enrolment, and make informed decisions on the level of health coverage and sum insured required, including options for top-up policies. Complementing this, the Maven platform by Medi Assist Healthcare Services will facilitate instant verification through CRA-authenticated secure OTPs and enable fully digital withdrawals for healthcare expenses. The platform will also enable automatic registration and processing of claims in the top-up policies.

● Network Access: Medi Assist offers access to a network of more than 15,500 hospitals across 1,264 cities to process cashless payments for inpatient (IPD) and facilitates outpatient (OPD) services as a technology aggregator.

● Investment Continuity: Unused contributions continue to accumulate market-linked returns while remaining accessible for medical emergencies.

Speaking at the occasion, here’s what the leaders had to add : “Currently 10% of Indian Population falls in the category of senior citizens and this demographic is expected to climb to over 20% by the year 2045-50. The fact of the matter is that several elderly remain outside the medical insurance net, making them extremely vulnerable to expenses beyond their reach. The idea of retiring with dignity cannot be alienated from a strong sense of medical security for the elderly. It is not often that we find two regulatory systems coming together to create something for the customers’ benefit. The entire premise of NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme rests on the feasibility of integrating health-related benefit mechanisms with the existing NPS architecture and to assess the associated operational, technological and regulatory aspects. While the first proof of concept launched in January 2026 was for outpatient services, the second proof of concept launched today is about inpatient and hospitalization bills. When put together, we can actually appreciate the consolidated service from the Swasthya Account. NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme not only grows the subscriber’s corpus at a rate that is comparable to other popular instruments available in the market, but also provides financial support for out-patient and inpatient medical expenses in case of medical emergencies. – Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority It is gratifying to see the potential fusion between a pension account and the concept of a top-up medical insurance clubbed for the larger good of the elderly who otherwise remained outside the ambit of medical insurance in the sunset phase of their life.””NPS Swasthya reflects our commitment to evolving retirement solutions that address the realities of longer life and rising healthcare costs. It enables investors to build a robust retirement corpus while staying financially prepared for medical needs, bringing greater balance and resilience to long-term financial planning.”

– Kurian Jose, CEO, Tata Pension Fund Management.

Subrat Mohanty, Executive Director, Axis Bank, said: “India is witnessing a steady rise in awareness around healthcare and financial planning. As awareness and long‑ term financial planning continue to grow, customers are increasingly looking for solutions that deliver flexibility alongside protection. Axis NPS Swasthya Top Up Plus Fund addresses this need by seamlessly integrating healthcare coverage with retirement planning, ensuring investments remain market‑ linked and continue to generate returns if not utilised for medical expenses without compromising long‑ term retirement goals.”

Sumit Shukla, MD & CEO, Axis Pension Fund, said: “NPS Swasthya is unique since it offers a very different health and hospital proposition. A hospitalisation cover of  up to ₹30 lakh at a cost of under ₹10 per day, making healthcare preparedness more accessible within the NPS framework. With this launch, we are strengthening the relevance and adaptability of long-term savings and appreciate PFRDA’s progressive approach in enabling health-linked solutions with NPS.”

Satish Gidugu, CEO, Medi Assist Healthcare Services, said, “At Medi Assist, we believe that technology is the ultimate equaliser in healthcare. By powering the NPS Swasthya ecosystem through our MAven platform, we are transforming a long-term retirement asset into a real-time health resource. We are proud to work alongside PFRDA to ensure that as India’s pension assets grow, so does the health security of every individual contributing to that growth.”

The NPS Swasthya Scheme is available to Indian citizens aged 18–85. Enrollment is subject to a “Good Health Declaration,” ensuring a streamlined onboarding process for members without major pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes.

Through this partnership, PFRDA and industry partners are setting a new standard for social security in India – where technology enables not just a healthier, more secure retirement, but also advances the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and health insurance for all.

Haworth Strengthens Distribution and Market Presence to Capitalise on Rising Demand for Workspaces in India

Haworth, a leading provider of design-led workplace solutions, is strengthening its growth strategy with a focus on expanding its distribution network and strengthening local supply chain capabilities, as demand for high-performance workplaces continues to rise across India.

 The company has built a strong presence through its experience and design centres in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi/NCR, Chennai and Hyderabad, supported by a robust manufacturing facility in Chennai. This setup enables faster delivery, greater customization, and improved responsiveness to client requirements. India’s importance in Haworth’s global strategy is reinforced by the expansion of Global Capability Centres and multinational operations, which are driving demand for sophisticated, experience-led work environments aligned with global standards.

“India is no longer an emerging market for us; it is a strategic growth engine. The scale of opportunity, combined with evolving workplace expectations, is reshaping how organisations design and use office spaces. Our focus is on building local capabilities, expanding our reach, and partnering with clients to deliver integrated workplace solutions that enhance productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. For Haworth, India also plays a dual role by driving Asia Pacific growth while supporting global accounts with consistency, scale, and innovation. It is a market where we are not just participating, but actively shaping the future of work,” said Manish Khandelwal, Managing Director, Haworth India.

As part of its next phase of growth, Haworth is expanding into emerging cities through a stronger dealership network, improving access to emerging business hubs. At the same time, Haworth continues to strengthen its local operating model, improving agility, delivery timelines, and the ability to deliver customised solutions across markets. Government initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ongoing infrastructure expansion are further strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem, improving ease of doing business and enabling greater localisation. This is helping companies like Haworth align more closely with customer expectations for faster delivery and local sourcing, while also supporting expansion into new and emerging business hubs.

This expansion comes at a time when the office furniture market in India is witnessing steady growth, driven by sectors such as IT and ITES, BFSI, consulting, multinational corporations, and the expanding Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem, with education and large Indian enterprises emerging as longer-term opportunities.

Hybrid work is accelerating the shift toward collaborative, flexible, and ergonomic workplaces, increasing demand for integrated, design-led solutions. At the same time, organisations are placing greater emphasis on sustainability, material innovation, and long-term space efficiency, prompting solution providers to rethink design, sourcing, and lifecycle management across workplace environments.

Haworth is responding to this shift through a solution-led approach that combines global design expertise with insights into workplace behaviour. This reflects Haworth’s solution led approach, where design, research, and behavioural insights come together to create meaningful workplace experiences. Its portfolio spans seating, collaborative spaces, workstations & systems and acoustic solutions, enabling organisations to create adaptable, future-ready environments. The company is also sharpening its focus on key solution areas, including ergonomic seating to support employee well-being and performance, collaborative pods and flexible spaces to enable team-based work, and advanced acoustic solutions tailored for hybrid environments. Backed by global design collaborations and research driven insights, Haworth’s integrated ecosystem integrates furniture, design, and workplace intelligence, positioning the company as a solution led workplace partner.

Looking ahead, Haworth will expand its presence in emerging markets, deepen its leadership in the GCC segment, and strengthen engagement with enterprise clients and the design community. The company is also accelerating its shift toward solution-led engagement, working more closely with clients to deliver integrated, high-performance workplaces while shaping conversations around workplace transformation, sustainability, and employee experience in India.

Middle East disruption could cut global oil demand 20 percent and gas 10 percent by 2050 as energy security drives shift to independence

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, April 8, 2026 – Prolonged disruption to Middle East energy supplies could accelerate a structural shift in global energy systems, halving oil and gas import dependence by 2050 and reducing oil demand by 20% and gas demand by 10% relative to the base case. As countries prioritise energy security, demand is increasingly met through electrification, renewables, coal and nuclear, while reliance on globally traded fuels declines, according to Wood Mackenzie.

However, this shift comes with trade-offs. Energy systems become more domestic and diversified, but also more costly, while near-term emissions rise due to increased coal use before converging with the base case over the longer term. These findings are based on a new conflict scenario from Wood Mackenzie, part of its Lens Energy Transition Scenarios, which explores how sustained geopolitical instability could reshape global energy demand, supply and investment through 2050.

Crisis-driven disruption, long-term transformation

The scenario assumes a major geopolitical escalation beginning in early 2026, disrupting 15–20% of global oil and LNG supply. In the near term, oil demand falls by around 9% due to supply outages before recovering to pre-crisis levels by 2030, Wood Mackenzie noted.

Beyond 2030, structural shifts take hold as countries accelerate efforts to reduce reliance on imported fuels. Oil and gas demand declines more rapidly than in the base case, as governments prioritise domestic and diversified energy systems.

“Geopolitical crises can act as powerful catalysts for long-term system change,” said Prakash Sharma, Vice President, Scenarios & Technologies at Wood Mackenzie. “In this scenario, the world moves decisively towards energy independence, with lasting implications for global fuel demand and trade.”

Source: Wood Mackenzie Lens ETS

Electrification and efficiency at the core

Electrification and efficiency emerge as the primary pathways to energy independence. Overall power demand remains broadly in line with the base case, as lower demand from electrolytic hydrogen production is offset by wider electrification across transport, buildings and industry.

This shift reduces reliance on imported fuels while maintaining overall energy service demand.

A rebalanced energy mix

By 2050, the global energy mix shifts significantly under the conflict scenario:

• Oil demand falls 20% and gas 10%, while coal rises 20% as countries diversify supply and prioritise domestic resources
• Nuclear generation increases 40% above the base case, with both conventional and next-generation technologies scaling from the 2030s
• Renewables continue rapid expansion, forming the backbone of domestic power systems
• Hydrogen and carbon capture adoption declines, as policymakers favour more efficient and secure energy pathways

“Energy systems become more local, more diversified and less reliant on complex international trade,” said Jom Madan, Principal Analyst, Scenarios & Technologies. “Electrification and nuclear take priority, while hydrogen and carbon capture are deprioritised due to cost, efficiency and security considerations.”

Near-term coal, long-term nuclear

Coal plays a larger role in the near term as countries respond to supply shocks by maximising domestic energy sources and delaying plant retirements. Over the longer term, nuclear expands significantly, providing stable, fuel-secure baseload power as new capacity comes online from the 2030s.

Gas-fired power and hydrogen-based abatement pathways are scaled back as energy systems favour more secure and proven alternatives.

Security comes at a cost

The shift towards energy independence comes with higher system costs, as countries move away from globally optimised supply chains towards domestic production and diversified sourcing.

“Energy independence reduces exposure to external shocks, but it comes at a structural cost premium,” said Lindsey Entwistle, Principal Analyst, Scenarios & Technologies. “This creates new competitiveness challenges for energy-intensive industries, while advantaging more self-sufficient regions.”

Climate outcomes converge

Despite diverging pathways, cumulative emissions under the conflict scenario remain broadly aligned with Wood Mackenzie’s base case, tracking a 2.6°C warming trajectory. While emissions rise in the near term due to increased coal use, these are offset over time by stronger electrification and nuclear deployment.

“The scenario reaches a similar emissions outcome through a different route,” Sharma concluded. “It reflects a trade-off between near-term energy security and long-term decarbonisation, with countries ultimately relying on proven, domestically controlled technologies.”