Bangalore airport files case against Kingfisher airlines

An investigation has been ordered against Kingfisher airlines and its Chairman Vijay Mallya for non-payment of Rs 208 crore (Rs 2.08 billion) user development and passenger service fees to Bangalore International Airport Limited, reports Vicky Nanjappa.

Bangalore airport claims that Kingfisher collected Rs 208 crore as fee from its passengers, but failed to hand over the money as it was supposed to according to an order passed by the central government.

"We have filed a case against Kingfisher Airlines on October 21 regarding non-payment of user development fee and passenger service fee,” said an airport spokesperson.

The case is related to payment of user development and passenger service fee collected by airlines from its passengers between 2008-12.

Kingfisher had collected Rs 208 crore from 2008 to 2012 which was due to the airport, sources claimed.

"We are not aware and neither have we been served any papers. It is therefore impossible to respond on a matter we are completely unaware of,” said a UB group VP (Corporate Communications) Prakash Mirpuri in a statement.

The case has been filed before the Devanhalli court in Bangalore where the airport is based. The court while taking cognizance of the complaint has ordered a probe and also sought a report to this effect. The police say that they are awaiting a court order copy and would commence investigations soon. (With additional inputs from PTI).