DGCA suspends Kingfisher licence

After failing to receive a response from Kingfisher Airlines on its show-cause notice, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Saturday suspended the carrier's flying licence.

The regulator had issued the notice on October 5, and given Kingfisher until Saturday to explain why its licence should not be cancelled.

"The licence of Kingfisher Airlines has been suspended until further orders. The issue of dues between the airline and employees and various vendors is a matter between them and does not come under our regulatory purview," DGCA head Arun Mishra said.

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said the suspension was for "safety reasons", and should Kingfisher fail to satisfy DGCA that it could fly safely, "the next logical step" could be the cancellation of its licence.

"It all depends on Kingfisher Airlines's revival plan to DGCA. If they fail to satisfy DGCA and DGCA thinks they can't fly safely, cancellation (of licence) is the next logical step," Singh said. "Safety can't be compromised."

Kingfisher cannot take bookings now, and will have to give refunds to passengers already booked. "We are immediately suspending all forward bookings... It is our endeavour to re-start operations at the earliest and we assure you we are working towards achieving this," an airline spokesperson said Saturday.

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