AAI refuses to allow Kingfisher lessors to take back aircraft

Airport Authority of India has refused to allow the lessors to take back about half a dozen aircraft rented out to Kingfisher Airline, sources said.

The lessors want the aircraft back as Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) has defaulted on rentals.

"AAI has said no...to Kingfisher lessors to allow them to take back six aircraft parked at Chennai airport," sources said.

One of the lessors has sent a legal notice to AAI for not passing the releasing order. AAI's contention is that it can not let the aircraft go, as it too has to recover dues of about Rs 300 crore on account of landing and parking fees from the near-bankrupt KFA.

When contacted, AAI spokesperson confirmed the development, and added that the authority is exploring several options to recover its long-pending dues.

The airline, which has not paid salaries to its employees for the past five months (some have not been paid for six months), has been defaulting on payments to AAI, oil companies, aircraft leasing companies and the government tax authorities.

KFA spokesperson could not be contacted for comments.