New Delhi, July 14 (IBNS): As many as 41 scheduled flights of the cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines were cancelled on Saturday due to a strike called by pilots over non-payment of salaries.
According to reports, as many as 18 flights from Bangalore, four from Mumbai and 12 from Delhi were cancelled on Saturday.
Several flights were also cancelled from different cities of the country.
In a statement Kingfisher said certain flights of its network are cancelled for Saturday "due to a certain section of employees deciding to stay away from duty due to salary payments not being credited to the bank accounts of all employees by Friday July 13th."
"Kingfisher wishes to state that more than 75 percent of its employees have actually received their promised salaries on the committed date of Friday July 13th. We have further assured our staff that the balance of our employees will receive their salaries by Monday July 16th. Despite this, a section of employees have decided to stay at home," it said.
"Kingfisher has taken care to inform all guests in advance and will offer full co-operation in re-booking and refund. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our esteemed guests," the airline said.
A pilots strike was observed on July 11 and 12 too, leading to several cancellations.
Kingfisher reported a loss of Rs. 1,151.50 crore in the March quarter.
It has a debt of over Rs. 7,500 crore and accumulated losses which is almost equal.
Kingfisher Airlines controlled by liquor baron Vijay Mallya has neither been able to pay salaries regularly since February nor has it managed to pay its dues to oil companies and airports, media reports said.
