Now, Kingfisher Airlines pilots threaten winding-up petition

Mumbai-based pilots of grounded Kingfisher Airlines have served the cash-strapped carrier an ultimatum to clear their dues by January 31 or face another winding-up petition.

The pilots gave the ultimatum at a meeting with top management representatives, including chief executive Sanjay Agarwal. The development comes even as the management appealed to its Delhi-based engineers not to resort to any legal action.

"The management has appealed to the engineers to not file a winding-up petition as it will have an adverse impact on the revival plan, which is awaiting regulatory approval," airline sources told PTI.

The appeal was made at a two-hour meeting between the management and pilots at the Kingfisher House in Mumbai on Monday evening.

On Sunday, the engineers in New Delhi had decided to move a winding-up petition in the Delhi High Court by the end of the week.

"Pilots categorically told the management that it must clear their salary dues by the month-end failing which they will take a legal recourse in the form of a similar action that is decided by the engineers," sources said.

The management, however, told them that it expects to have "some funds in the account" by the week end, the sources said.

"Chief Executive Sanjay Aggarwal, along with Executive Vice President Hitesh Patel, attended the meeting, but did not make any commitment to make the payments," they said.

According to sources, pilots also demanded a "written assurance" from Mallya through an e-mail about clearing their dues by January 31. "However, Agarwal did not make any assurance," they said.