Even without fulfilling the condition of getting No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from all stakeholders, Kingfisher Airlines has requested the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to renew its flying licence, which was suspended last year.
Kingfisher Airlines CEO Sanjay Agarwal told reporters after meeting the DGCA that they have made a request for the renewal of their operating licence.
Flying licence or the Scheduled Operator?s Permit (SOP) of the airline was suspended in October and later lapsed in December after the airline was grounded following a strike by its employees, including pilots, over non-payment of dues.
A senior DGCA official said that there is no change in the earlier condition and Kingfisher Airlines will need to get NOCs from all stake holders to restart operations.
?The airline has been able to get NOCs from private airport operators but failed to get any clearance from Airports Authority of India, banks and service tax department among others, which will be required,? said the DGCA official.
He, however, added that the airline has got a comfort letter from the UB Group, which is provide initial funding of Rs 650 crore to restart the operations of the airline.
According to the plan submitted on Wednesday, which is similar to the plan submitted earlier, Kingfisher would resume limited operations with five Airbus A-320 and two turboprop ATR aircraft and gradually step up its operations by increasing the number of planes to 20.
Sources in DGCA said they would examine the plan thoroughly before taking a call on the proposal of the airline. ?The airline wants to go ahead and has requested for renewal of their SOP… The plans look more practical than earlier but we will consider all aspects before taking a decision,? said a DGCA official.
