30 Kingfisher flights either cancelled or clubbed

Trouble for cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines again erupted today with at least 30 flights either being cancelled or clubbed as several pilots and other staffers failed to report for work to protest delays in salary payments.

At least 13 flights from Mumbai were cancelled, while reports said there was no operation from Kolkata today. Nine departures from Delhi were also either cancelled or clubbed, airport sources said, adding only three direct flights each way were available on the busiest Mumbai-Delhi sector which has seven daily services.

Acknowledging disruption in its schedule, an airline spokesperson told PTI that some flights "are being cancelled as a result of employee agitation on account of delayed salaries".

"The flight loads have reduced because of our limited distribution ability caused by IATA suspension," he said, adding that this situation had arisen because of "our bank accounts having been frozen by the tax authorities".

The spokesperson said the airline would operate "approximately 80% of our planned flight schedule" while maintaining, "We are making all possible efforts to remedy this temporary situation".