KFA retains int'l rights despite not flying abroad

Amid its turbulent phase, Kingfisher Airlines has got some good news, as the civil aviation ministry has decided not to cancel the cash-strapped airline's international rights. The development comes at a time when the company, in a bid to trim operations, had recently announced plans to discontinue international operations.

"We have decided not to cancel the international flying rights of Kingfisher," said a senior ministry official, who did not want to be identified. "The permission will stay with them. They can start flights whenever they want; whenever they are in a position to it."

No other airline, though, will be allotted their slots, the official revealed. On the contrary, the government has allocated almost all domestic slots left by Kingfisher to others.

The airline operates flights to eight international destinations: London, Dubai, Colombo, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kathm-andu and Dhaka.

The Vijay Mallya-owned company has of late been in deep financial crisis, prompting it recently to curb operations substantially.

The airline had entered the winter schedule in November last year with a permission to fly 420 flights a day operating a fleet strength of 64 aircraft. Financial trouble forced it to start cancelling flights. Kingfisher now operates 120 flights a day with a fleet of 20 aircraft - 10 Airbus 320s and 10 ATRs.

Kingfisher has temporarily suspended operations from several major cities, including Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Lucknow. Also, it has asked nearly half its 7,000-odd employees to stay at home till it managed to infuse fresh funds.

Image: A Kingfisher Airlines Airbus passenger aircraft prepares to take-off at Mumbai airport. | Image: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters