Kingfisher Airlines: We are in a do or die situation

NEW DELHI, India – After putting up a brave front in the face of mounting adversity, crisis-ridden Kingfisher has for the first time acknowledged that it is in a make-or-break situation. On Saturday night, Kingfisher executive vice-president Hitesh Patel sent an e-mail to pilots unpaid for five months, saying: “I would like to, however, let you know that our airline is standing at a critical juncture, which will define whether we make it or not.”

About 80-odd pilots had refused to fly on Saturday as the airline has not paid it salaries for last five months, and this led to cancellation of over 40 of the 110 daily flights it operates. Patel called up the pilots, assuring them that February’s salary would be paid by Monday.

“I understand and empathize with the amount of personal issues you and your family have been through due to salary delays. I also understand that in spite of our best and most sincere endeavours, we may have failed on the timelines committed… your actions over the last few days continue to do irreparable harm to the airline. I urge you to please resume work,” the mail said.