Has Kingfisher Airlines put off its re-launch till November 5?
While airline officials declined to say anything on the issue, sources confirmed that a message had gone out to employees informing them that all flights had been cancelled till November 5. The airline had declared a lock-out on October 1, and grounded all flights.
Sources claimed that the latest missive was a pre-emptive measure being taken by the management with all eyes on the meeting scheduled for Monday in Mumbai.
They said that at the meeting, the Management was likely to offer back wages for at least two months to the employees in the hope of winning back some of the striking staff.
“If some employees come back, sale of tickets will open soon after and flights will restart. But if the employees insist that all seven months of salaries are paid before they resume work, then the lock-out is expected to be extended till November 5,” sources said.
Interestingly, till late this evening, the airline’s official Web site was showing that tickets were available for sale from October 24. Sources claimed that the Web site bookings were likely to be blocked by late tonight.
ashwini.phadnis
@thehindu.co.in