India's Kingfisher Airlines said it had to cancel some flights due to "employee agitation on account of delayed salaries", pushing the debt-laden carrier deeper into trouble. The airline said it was operating about 80 percent of its flights, implying that only 160 flights are being flown, compared with 400 six months ago.
Many of Kingfisher's pilots called in sick at various places around the country to protest against delayed salaries, local media reported. Kingfisher Airlines, headed by liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya and named after his famous brand of Indian beer, has been struggling to continue its normal operations as a heavy debt load, higher jet fuel costs, stiff competition and low fares severely hurt its ability to raise funds. It was suspended from three settlement systems of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) last week, hurting the airline's ability to deal with global airlines and travel agents.