While Kingfisher Airlines does not have any cash left to pay employees as per media sources, it has extended its lockout till 7th October for the time being, which means it is not selling tickets till 7th October, and no flights will be operating till then as well.
Like I mentioned yesterday, it however looks like this time it will take a lot longer to revive operations since the airline is now under regulatory pressure to review the situation, come back with a FIRM plan of action and pay salaries before it goes up in the air.
However, as per Reuters, the airline is now making statements that about 100 employees have come back unconditionally to work, and they hope to pay March salaries in a week or so. However, other journalists figure these are rumours being spread by the airline to get a little barterpower on the negotiation table.
Updated: In an evening report I found on Firstpost.com, the regulator’s 3 page directive to the airline has been published, which includes some stupid stuff such as do not have any unscrupulous staff near the planes.
As for me, I had a Kingfisher flight reservation later this week, where the earlier flight I was booked on was clubbed with a flight 12 hours later, and then, rescheduled for even later. I was informed about it via a text message late last evening. But this morning, I see the reservation is not even showing up.
So, I am thanking my stars that I bought a travel insurance along this time and if the airline is not cancelling my ticket today or telling me about it, the insurance is going to kick in. This is a developing story as well! (The airline has finally called me to tell me the flight is cancelled and it will give a full refund!)
Related Posts:
- Kingfisher fiasco expected to be a long drawn one?
- Kingfisher: its not over yet?
- My previous coverage of the Kingfisher Airlines and disruptions
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I’ve a reward booking on 24/Oct.
Should I bail out now or wait and watch?
@Whizkid, Bail now. if they are back on their feet, you will have another opportunity to use your miles 😉
Check the fine print.
Few flight insurance policies in india, exclude carrier shutdown / Govt regulations.
@Whizkid, in which case my ticket should be cancelled and I receive a full refund! Either ways I should get my money back! 😉