Question : SUSPENSION OF LICENCE OF AIRLINES

(a) whether the Government has suspended the operating licence of any airline in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has taken any measures to protect the interest of the passengers who had booked their seats with airlines and the employees of such airlines;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Government to improve the civil aviation sector to meet the requirements of global standards and competition?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI K. c. VENLGOPAL)

(a) & (b): Yes Madam. Operator permit of M/s Kingfisher Airlines, a Scheduled operator has been suspended w.e.f. 20.10.2012 due to failure of the company to reestablish a safe, efficient and reliable air transport services.

(c) & (d): The airline was asked to inform all the passengers in advance regarding cancellation and ensure prompt settlement of refunds. The airline was also asked to submit a concrete and reliable revival plan to the satisfaction of the DGCA.

(e): Civil Aviation is a dynamic sector which requires continuous adjustments according to global and domestic needs. The Govt. has constantly been responding to changing scenario and undertaking sector specific measures to facilitate and enable growth of the sector.