Kingfisher cancels more flights as pilots join strike

Aviation regulator DGCA will on Monday review Kingfisher Airline's operations in the wake of mass cancellation of its flights, even as a section of the airlines Mumbai-based pilots joined in the strike by its engineers.

"We will review the situation of Kingfisher Airline," Director General of Civil Aviation Arun Mishra told PTI.

Mishra also said that airline's situation will also be discussed with the Civil Aviation Ministry.

The engineers of Kingfisher went on a strike on Sunday to protest the non-payment of salaries since March.

"Almost all Kingfisher aircraft are grounded due to the engineer's strike....some Mumbai-based pilots have also joined in the strike today," sources told PTI.

The airline, saddled with huge debt, is currently operating less than 50 flights with seven aircraft.

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh recently said that government will revoke KF's license if it's fleet size goes down below five.

Meanwhile, Kingfisher said in a statement late last night that, "We are anticipating disruptions and delays of flights on Monday, as it is likely that a section of KF employees may not report to duty due to threat by a section of engineers who are not reporting for duty."

"With a view to mitigating the impact of the anticipated disruption, we are pro-actively cancelling several flights across our network today. We are monitoring the situation and continue to engage with this section of employees to see reason as such action is not only detrimental to the company but directly impact the travelling public," the statement said.

Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters