Kingfisher eyes skies after 4-mth salary deal

The management of Kingfisher Airlines on Thursday resolved the 26-day strike by its employees, agreeing to clear four months' salary arrears by December. In return, it wants employees to resume work immediately. "We will now finalise and present our resumption plan to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and hope to get its concurrence soon," the company said.

The management has accepted employees' demand to pay salaries for four months by the end of December. Earlier, it had said it would only pay three months' arrears. Some Kingfisher employees have not been paid since January while others have not been paid salaries since February. "The company will settle salaries for March in the next 24 hours while April salaries will be paid by October 31. Salaries for May will be paid before Diwali and June salaries before Christmas," said an engineer with the airline.

The remaining months' dues will be paid by the end of March next year after the promoters manage to recapitalise the airline. The management has also agreed to withdraw its circular asking staffers to give a written undertaking before resuming duty.

"We have accepted the management's proposal for a staggered payment of four months' salary dues by December," said Subhash Chandra Mishra, who represents engineers.

"Our employees, including pilots and engineers, will resume work today," Kingfisher Airlines chief executive officer Sanjay Aggarwal told reporters after meeting pilots and engineers.

With the strike called off, the airline will focus on getting back its licence, suspended on October 20. Though employees maintain operations may resume by the first week of November, it may take 15-20 days before the suspension is over. Kingfisher cannot resume flying before getting DGCA approval on air safety and operational and financial viability plans.

Agarwal met aviation secretary KN Srivastava on Thursday evening and has also sought a meeting with DGCA Arun Mishra, who is travelling.

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