In another round of fresh trouble for the grounded Kingfisher Airlines, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued a show-cause notice asking why its flying permit should not be suspended or cancelled.
The DGCA notice to liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s ailing carrier came even as it has grounded all operations and extended lockout till October 12 after failing to resolve with striking engineers and pilots to the deadlock over non-payment of salaries for last seven months.
In Delhi and Mumbai, angry staff of the private airline staged protest demonstrations wearing black-bands and carrying placards, to demand speedy disbursal of their dues. Their protests came in the backdrop of suicide committed by the wife of a Kingfisher employee in Delhi on Thursday, apparently owing to non-payment of salaries.
Replying to questions by journalists, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said, that while some companies strive (to grow), some fail. "Government can close them down or help them,’’ he said adding that the airline would have to satisfy the DGCA on safety before it gets permission to fly again.
While issuing the show cause notice, the DGCA has asked the Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) to reply within 15 days why its permit should not be cancelled or suspended under the provisions of Section 15(2)(b) of Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules 1937 as the Airline has failed to establish a safe, efficient and reliable service.
The operations of the KFA are under suspension since September 30, 2012 due to strike by its employees. Civil Aviation Minister while taking a strong note of the situation has said that there will be no compromise on safety of aircraft operations.
As per Section 15(2)(b) of Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules 1937, DGCA may cancel or suspend permit of an Airline for such period as he thinks fit, if he is satisfied that the holder of the permit has failed to establish a safe, efficient and reliable service.
Earlier, the Director General, Civil Aviation Arun Mishra had called the CEO of the KFA on October 2 and asked him to submit an operational plan of the Airline. The DGCA also asked the airline to show their operational preparedness before DGCA could allow recommencement of its operations by fulfilling the following conditions:
The CEO of the airline had assured to resume operations by October 4-5 but the carrier has not been able to resolve its issues. They have not approached DGCA with any operational plan, official sources said. DGCA reviewed the current situation of the KFA on Friday and decided to go ahead with slapping the show cause notice to the airline.
