Kingfisher suspended from two more IATA platforms

New Delhi, Mar 9: Badgered from all sides, Kingfisher Airlines on Friday suspended for non-payment of dues from two more IATA platforms that would affect its passenger and cargo bookings through agents, but the cash-strapped carrier said it has made alternative arrangements for these bookings.

International Air Transport Association (IATA), which had suspended it from its Clearing House on Wednesday, said Kingfisher has been suspended from participating in the global airline body's Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) and Cargo Accounts Settlement System (CASS).

"The suspension was because the airline did not provide IATA with a cash deposit, required to continue its participation in the BSP and the CASS. The required cash deposit was intended to ensure the airline is able to meet its financial obligations in the BSP and the CASS," an IATA spokesperson said in a statement from Singapore.

The BSP and the CASS programmes facilitate and simplify the selling, reporting and remitting procedures between airlines and travel and cargo agents, both domestic and international.

The IATA spokesperson said the suspension from the BSP and the CASS means that the airline would not be able to use these platforms to settle its sales and bookings with IATA-recognised travel and cargo agents.

"The airline is still free to sell and settle directly with travel agents and freight forwarders," he said, adding that Kingfisher's participation in the BSP and the CASS would be reinstated "after the airline fulfills the cash deposit requirement."

Two days ago, the IATA had suspended the beleaguered carrier on the same grounds from the IATA Clearing House (ICH) through which airlines and related firms settle accounts for services provided by them to other such companies.

PTI