The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
yesterday suggested a bailout for the grounded Kingfisher Airlines
following the government's decision to rescue the ailing national
carrier Air India, saying there is no difference in the financial woes
of both the airlines. The suggestion comes within days of reports that
LIC and the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) snapped up the
entire Rs 7,400-crore bond issue of the debt-ridden Air India, as per a
PTI report.
“If Air India deserves to be given a bailout package, there is no reason why Kingfisher should be treated differently by banks and government organisations," D S Rawat, General Secretary, ASSOCHAM said in a statement.
Rawat's statement also comes days ahead of the November 30, 2012 deadline set by the bankers to the Kingfisher promoters to pump in fresh capital to the tune of USD one billion and table a comprehensive revival plan.
Sitting on a debt pile of over Rs 15,000 crore, including Rs 7,000 crore bank loans and payments due to various vendors and tax authorities, Kingfisher has not been operating since October 1 this year following a strike by its pilots and engineers over the non-payment of salaries.
Following the shutdown, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had suspended its flying licence on October 19, 2012. “The circumstances under which both Air India and Kingfisher went down under are almost similar, largely emerging from demand slowdown, high cost of aviation fuel and other rising overhead costs," Rawat said.
However, some industry experts attribute the mounting losses and huge debt of the Vijay Mallya-owned Kingfisher to a flawed business model. As far as Air India is concerned, some parliamentary panels have attributed it's financial woes to factors such as giving away its profitable routes to private carriers and a flawed aircraft acquisition policy for the carrier.
Of the Rs 7,400 crore issues, LIC has agreed to subscribe to Rs 3,000-crore worth of non-convertible bonds while the rest Rs 4,400 crore worth bonds will be subscribed to by the EPFO. On its part, the government has announced Rs 30,000 crore bailout plan to revive Air India in April this year.
“If Air India deserves to be given a bailout package, there is no reason why Kingfisher should be treated differently by banks and government organisations," D S Rawat, General Secretary, ASSOCHAM said in a statement.
Rawat's statement also comes days ahead of the November 30, 2012 deadline set by the bankers to the Kingfisher promoters to pump in fresh capital to the tune of USD one billion and table a comprehensive revival plan.
Sitting on a debt pile of over Rs 15,000 crore, including Rs 7,000 crore bank loans and payments due to various vendors and tax authorities, Kingfisher has not been operating since October 1 this year following a strike by its pilots and engineers over the non-payment of salaries.
Following the shutdown, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had suspended its flying licence on October 19, 2012. “The circumstances under which both Air India and Kingfisher went down under are almost similar, largely emerging from demand slowdown, high cost of aviation fuel and other rising overhead costs," Rawat said.
However, some industry experts attribute the mounting losses and huge debt of the Vijay Mallya-owned Kingfisher to a flawed business model. As far as Air India is concerned, some parliamentary panels have attributed it's financial woes to factors such as giving away its profitable routes to private carriers and a flawed aircraft acquisition policy for the carrier.
Of the Rs 7,400 crore issues, LIC has agreed to subscribe to Rs 3,000-crore worth of non-convertible bonds while the rest Rs 4,400 crore worth bonds will be subscribed to by the EPFO. On its part, the government has announced Rs 30,000 crore bailout plan to revive Air India in April this year.
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