Kingfisher Airlines IMAGE.
strongNew Delhi: /strongThe endgame appears to be nearing for Kingfisher Airlines, but the government seems keen to keep the airline flying.
The airline, which had already truncated its schedule to a fourth this summer, has now grounded more aircraft. So instead of flying nine Airbus 320 aircraft and 8 ATRs - as it had promised in the summer schedule - it is now flying only six A 320 and five ATRs. The remaining six aircraft are sitting on the ground due to lack of spares. And a strike by pilots continues to cripple operations further.
The airline owes about Rs 290 crore to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) besides its mounting dues to oil companies, other stakeholders as well as salary arrears for about five months to its employees. So why is the government not asking it to either shut down or show a credible revival plan?
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