Kingfisher cancels 29 flights, loses 8 pilots

Kingfisher Airlines cancelled 29 Mumbai flights, including 17 arrivals and 12 departures, on Monday as the agitation launched by a large section of its cockpit crew over unpaid salaries completed eight days.

Kingfisher Airlines cancelled 29 Mumbai flights, including 17 arrivals and 12 departures, on Monday as the agitation launched by a large section of its cockpit crew over unpaid salaries completed eight days.

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Also, eight senior pilots working with the cash-strapped carrier joined a rival airline. Sources said they were among the senior most commanders.

Other pilots said they would wait till March 23 before moving the Bombay high court. "We are expecting our December salaries in the next two days. If they fail to pay us by Friday, we will move court," said a senior Kingfisher commander.

Employees from other departments such as ground staff, engineers and cabin crew are also likely to join the agitation.

A Kingfisher spokesperson did not respond to HT's query.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked the airline to submit a "realistic" recovery plan on Tuesday. Sources said the airline is likely to say that it can operate only 16 aircraft from its fleet of 28.