A Kingfisher Airlines ticket counter wears a deserted look as several flights were cancelled in Mumbai on Saturday. — PTI

Mumbai, July 14
After the management of Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines failed to pay salaries to all employees on Friday as promised, pilots of the airline in many places across the country went on a strike forcing 40 flights to be cancelled - till afternoon today. Six flights from Mumbai, three from Bangalore and 12 from Delhi did not operate.

In a statement released here, Kingfisher Airlines said passengers who were affected by the cancellations of flights would be refunded their fares.

Trouble began brewing from the wee hours of today when the airline's pilots, who were unhappy at not receiving their salaries for February, indicated that they would not be operating flights from today. The pilots were demanding that Mallya should honour his promise to clear the employees' dues by Friday.

Mallya, in a statement, said salaries of 75 per cent of the employees were paid by Friday while the others would be paid by Monday.

The pilots didn’t buy Mallya's promise and most of them stayed home instead of reporting for duty, sources said.

Kingfisher Airlines sources said the airline operated some flights with the help of Executive Pilots who are part of the management.

This is the second time in a week that pilots of Kingfisher Airlines have struck work. Earlier, pilots operating the airline's ATR aircraft went on a strike forcing the cancellation of several flights to small airports. Many of them returned to work after the airline promised to pay the salaries for February by Friday.

Kingfisher also confirmed that it was unable to pay salaries of all employees as promised. "A certain section of employees have decided to stay away from work due to salary payments not being credited to the bank accounts of all employees by Friday.

“Kingfisher wishes to state that more than 75 per cent of employees have actually received their promised salaries on Friday,” the airline said promising to clear all dues by Monday.

Vijay Mallya, in a statement, requested Kingfisher employees not to talk to the media or “disgrace” the company as it would affect efforts to turn around the airline.

“I really hope that good sense will prevail. I am doing my best. If some of you think that cancelling flights, speaking to media or disgracing our company will produce cash and salaries, you are wrong,” Mallya said.

“This only makes my recapitalisation efforts more difficult by causing concern and apprehension among our potential investors,” Mallya said.

He insisted that it was not the end of the road for Kingfisher Airlines. “(What) has motivated me into investing more money to keep Kingfisher flying is that I see light ahead. I invite you to share my confidence and work towards realising that light,” Mallya added.