Kingfisher cuts international routes

The crisis at Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines has deepened with the airline culling its entire international network as it attempts to overcome its current financial problems.  The airline, which was on the verge of joining the oneworld global airline alliance earlier this year, has faced major operational problems over the past week as many of its pilots have again failed to turn up for work after allegedly failing to be paid.  The problems were further compounded by the impounding of one of the airline’s Airbus A330-200s at Heathrow, at the start of the week.

Kingfisher says its international operations are “bleeding heavily” and it has already started to retire some of its Airbus A330-200s from passenger service.  “Positive and immediate action is being taken on all fronts to cut costs,” it said in a statement. 

This week it has cancelled Delhi to Hong Kong and Kolkata with Bangkok and Dhaka. Gone is Mumbai to Hong Kong, Heathrow and Singapore.  Later this month it will close its routes from Bangalore to Dubai; Chennai to Colombo; Delhi to Bangkok, Dubai and Kathmandu; Mumbai to Dubai and from Tiruchirapalli.  This will leave just a single international service between Delhi and Heathrow, but you cannot book after 10 April 2012. www.flykingfisher.com

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