Kingfisher Airlines Ltd to Layoff Unknown Number

Yet another airline is getting ready to get rid of staff in order to make sure its bottom line lands in the black, instead of in the red. This time the airline to make cuts is Kingfisher Airlines Ltd which, to be quite frank, most people have not heard of if they do not travel to India frequently. For those of you who have no reason to visit the sub-continent here is a look at how the company describes itself:

“Welcome aboard Kingfisher Airlines, where you are made to feel like an honored guest and not just a passenger. At Kingfisher, a flight is not a journey between two airports but an experience of a lifetime.

As our esteemed guest you can experience Kingfisher Airlines in three unique classes of service – Kingfisher First (Business class) Kingfisher Class (Premium economy) and Kingfisher Red (Low fare). Kingfisher First and Kingfisher Class is available on our international routes too.

As Kingfisher takes off into the international skies, you can expect a world-class experience. Every Kingfisher aircraft meets the global standards that I have set in terms of safety and performance. Our brand-new fleet incorporates the latest technology and each aircraft is fitted with a personalized in-flight entertainment system and top quality programming content from around the world for your viewing and listening pleasure, and to create an environment that you will truly cherish.

Aboard our flights, you will be delighted by the various sensory experiences on offer – from tantalizing aromas of world cuisine to the magic touch of your personal therapeutic massage seat – we really have thought about every little thing that will exhilarate you. ”

It looks like that exhilaration will be cut down, significantly. The company is getting ready to make some serious cuts to their flight schedule and of course their workers. After all when you are only running about 1/4^th of the flights that you were last year you do not need as many employees. The company is getting ready to let go of a number of employees, though they have not given any specific numbers at this time the cuts are sure to be as severe as the service cuts.

Then again this is not the first time that the airline has tried to cut its staff. In 2008 the airline made an unsuccessful attempt to be rid of about 800 workers. That attempt was shut down when the workers, and community members, protested the layoffs in the streets. Though this time the situation may be different because the workers have not been receiving their salaries for several months. Reports that pay has not come for many workers since December of last year have been circulating

Kingfisher Airlines are not the only airline to experience problems with their staffing. Some of you may recall yesterday’s coverage of cuts to Aveos but for those of you who missed it here is an excerpt:

“So why is Aveos important? Well they recently filed for, and one Bankruptcy protection support in the Canadian courts. That protection, known better as CCAA in Canada will allow the company to stay in business but not without some hefty penalties along the way. One of those penalties has been for the ground level workers of the company. That means the layoffs have arrived.

The company announced the layoffs publically with little fan fair. In their brief statement this was the only place that the workers were mentioned, ‘. As of March 18, 2012, Aveos ceased its Airframe maintenance service operations and will make decisions with respect to its other operations as it seeks Court protection to allow it a period of time to assess its options. Aveos employs approximately 2,600 employees across Canada. ‘”