Submit detailed plan: Govt to Kingfisher

Cancelling its entire flight schedule,Kingfisher declared a lockout on September 28.

Troubled Kingfisher Airlines would have to submit a detailed plan to aviation regulator DGCA before they are allowed to resume flights,Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said today.

Asked whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA was likely to move ahead with suspending or cancelling the crisis-ridden carrier8217;s flying license,he said it was for the regulator to decide after it studies their reply to the show-cause notice issued to them.

DGCA had yesterday issued a show-cause notice to Kingfisher asking why its flying license should not be suspended or cancelled as it had grounded its entire fleet and failed to offer safe,efficient and reliable service. It has given the airline 15 days to reply.

8220;This suspension or cancellation has to be decided by the DGCS. It will depend on what reply they give,what plans they have to resume operations. How they will lease aircraft. There are disgruntled employees and there is safety concern,8221; the Minister said.

In the notice,DGCA Chief Arun Mishra said it had been observed that the airline was not adhering to its flight schedule and 8220;abruptly cancelling their flights time and again during the last 10 months8221;,causing great inconvenience to the travelling public.

He also took note of the lockout which had led to 8220;suspension of all their flights8221; and that the airline had 8220;failed to establish a safe,efficient and reliable services as required8221; under the rules.

Maintaining that this amounted to Kingfisher not complying with the provisions of the Aircraft Rules 1937,the regulator asked the airline why action should not be taken against it for this 8220;violation8221;.

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Kingfisher had declared a lockout on September 28 till October four,cancelling its entire flight schedule,and extended it till October 12 later. The lockout was declared after the management failed to resolve the deadlock with its striking employees,including engineers and pilots,over non-payment of salaries for last seven months.

Responding to the notice,a Kingfisher spokesperson said, 8220;We will send a detailed response to the DGCA well in time. We will also submit a comprehensive plan for restoration of services after negotiations with our employees.8221;