Kingfisher submits plans to resolve lapses, discrepancies

After a rap from the aviation regulator for neglecting safety issues, Kingfisher Airlines today submitted a detailed response to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) giving time-bound plans to resolve the lapses and discrepancies identified.

As Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh asserted that there would be no compromise on aviation safety, Kingfisher officials submitted the airline's response at the headquarters of the DGCA here, but no details were available.

A long list of discrepancies and violations by various airlines, including Kingfisher, had come to light in a financial audit carried out by DGCA which directed them to resolve all issues in a time-bound manner.

The DGCA asked the carriers to respond to the findings this week and take urgent action to rectify the situation.

"The Civil Aviation Ministry will not tolerate any violation of safety norms. There will be no compromise on air safety," the minister said.

"Basically, you need more training for pilots and crew. All airlines have to do that. But this business has grown so fast in the last few years that some delays are taking place," Singh said in response to questions.

Pointing out the lapses and violations by Kingfisher, the financial surveillance report had said "a reasonable case exists for withdrawal of their airline operator permit as their financial stress is likely to impinge on safety."

It had also come down heavily on Air India Express, saying "a prima facie case exists for restricting their operations in view of safety issues."

Among various issues, Kingfisher was asked to submit a plan on recovery of its flights and recapitalisation of the airline by today. The airline has cancelled 157 flights in this winter out of a total of over 400 allotted to it.