Kingfisher starts operating new flight schedule -Governance Now

Kingfisher starts operating new flight schedule

DGCA considers punitive action for flouting norms

PTI | February 23, 2012

Facing severe turbulence, Kingfisher Airlines on Thursday started truncated operations in accordance with its new flight schedule, as aviation regulator DGCA examined its operational details to consider whether to take any punitive action against it for flouting norms

There was still uncertainty over moves by a consortium of 13 bankers to offer fresh loan for the beleaguered carrier, amid reports that the lead bank State Bank of India has agreed to provide Kingfisher a Rs 1,650 crore relief package. But the bankers were tight-lipped about their plans.

"If the banks find it good business, they will loan their money (to Kingfisher). .... At the same time, the government is not going to ask banks to loan money to any private industry. Its for the banks to decide. They will have to decide on the basis of whether they will get it back or not," Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told reporters here.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun examining the submissions made by Kingfisher officials. DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan has briefed the minister and sent a report on his discussions with the airline top brass to the ministry, sources said.

The aviation regulator is examining the airline's fresh and curtailed schedule to operate 175 daily flights with 28 operational aircraft, the number of cockpit and cabin crew as also whether it was fulfilling the requirement that 10 per cent of its flights would have to be in the Northeast and other remote places, they said.

Asked whether any punitive action would be taken against the beleaguered carrier for flouting the 1937 Aircraft Rules, Singh said, "DGCA is considering all that. They have received some reports. Right now our priority is to see how many flights they can operate and make sure they are perfectly safe."

Comments

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg