New Delhi:  A “Kingfisher” airline owned by Beer King Vijay Mallya of United Braveries in Bangalore is struggling for survival, short of breath.

Apart from earlier cancellation of over 30 flights for want of air fuel and increasingly mounting debts, the Kingfisher was grounding planes for over 50 flights due daily and Director General of Civil  Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to the liquor baron, who controlled air flights under the Kingfisher brand.

On Thursday, November 10, about 80 pilots left their job and 80 flights were cancelled. The number of pilots leaving the private airlines has gone beyond 100 now, as they did not get there and allowances. The company is facing acute bankruptcy, while air passengers suffer delays in flights.

The DGCA has ordered Kingfisher to refund fares collected on cancelled flights and several routes. Vijay Mallya is sitting on a hot tin plate at his up city bungalow, with a loan of Rs.7,057 crores to be repaid, under dire circumstances.

HPCL refused to supply any fuel to the airlines under heavy debts. The Kingfisher has been grounded, with no power in its wings at present.