No layoffs for now in Kingfisher: Vijay Mallya

Bangalore, Oct 16: Kingfisher airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya on Wednesday, Oct 15 said he will not lay off anyone for the present, unlike Jet Airways that had decided to fire 1900 employees from its rolls, as it did not have any surplus staff.

Speaking to mediapersons here late tonight, after the inconclusive Annual General Body meeting of the leading Indian airliner, he said the job cuts announced by Jet Airways was its own decision. He said the Board of the Kingfisher Airlines had been reconstituted by induction of new Directors. ''They (Jet Airways) may have excess staff and it is their right to keep or send away their people. As for as Kingfisher is concerned we are not going to lay off our people for now. We have no surplus crew. We will not cut any jobs for the present,'' he said.

Mr Mallya said today's AGM was incomplete and it had taken a break. ''For time being there will not be any retrenchments. Already we had cut some jobs when we sold five Airbus 340s. We have only 6000 strong employee strength. We are working on rationalisation of routes,'' he said with reference to the recent tie up with the Jet Airways.

Kingfisher and Jet Airways, which account for 60 per cent of market share in the country had announced an alliance two days ago to share their resources and routes.

He also ruled out any buyback of the stakes of the erstwhile Deccan Airways by Capt Gopilath who owned the low cost airliner.

After Mr Mallya bought it it had been named Kingfisher Red and merged with the Kingfisher Airways. He termed the reporters to this effect as mere speculation.

Present on the occasion, Capt Gopinath, now Vice Chairman of Kingfisher Airlines, said Mr Mallya had assured him of safeguarding the interests of Kingfisher Red. ''Mr Mallya has removed the doubts and Kingfisher Red will continue to operate,'' he added.

UNI