Kingfisher shuts shop in Lucknow: Airport officials

Lucknow, March 26 (IANS) Plagued by financial losses, Kingfisher Airlines has pulled out its flights from Lucknow to New Delhi and Mumbai, say airport officials.

According to the airport officials, the airline also shut its counter at the Amausi Airport in Lucknow Sunday evening.

The 'in-red' airlines had two flights from Lucknow to Delhi and Mumbai.

Speaking to IANS, a source said the flights were running to "not even half the capacity" and had left the two flights bleeding.

"The decision was being mulled upon for a very long time and was executed Sunday," an official informed.

Airport authorities say the staff at the Kingfisher ticketing counter have also stopped reporting at the airport.

Officials say the tickets of passengers who were booked in advance would be refunded and messages have been sent to such passengers with regard to the shelving of the flights.

Gagan Gurnani, owner of the Dream Travel Ways Private Limited who booked air tickets for Kingfisher, confirmed they have been asked not to issue tickets.

"The flights to Mumbai and Delhi have been cancelled and we are no longer issuing tickets for the same," he said.

Airport director Atul Dixit confirmed that the Kingfisher flights to Mumbai and New Delhi were no more flying from Lucknow. He, however refused to confirm any information on reports that the airlines major had also decided to wind up its office in the state capital.

Kingfisher officials however were mum on the developments.