UB Group, Kingfisher lenders in talks to cut debt

Will use proceeds from a stake sale in a group company to Diageo Plc

UB Group, the parent of debt-laden Kingfisher Airlines, said it was in talks with KFA's lenders to cut their exposure by using proceeds from a stake sale in a group company to Diageo Plc.

The statement comes days after lenders to Kingfisher said they would move ahead towards recovering $1.4 billion of loans in default after the company failed to come up with a viable funding plan.

UK drinks group Diageo agreed last November to buy a 53.4% stake in UB Group-controlled United Spirits Ltd for $2.1 billion under a two-stage process.

Kingfisher, which has been stripped of its flying licence and has not flown since October, owes an estimated $2.5 billion to banks, staff, airports and oil companies.