All Brands Owned by Kingfisher Airlines Limited

Who founded Kingfisher Airlines?
Kingfisher Airlines was founded in 2005 by Vijay Mallya, an Indian businessman and liquor magnate who controlled United Breweries Group, the maker of Kingfisher beer. Mallya launched the airline as an extension of his Kingfisher brand into India's aviation sector.

When did Kingfisher Airlines cease operations?
Kingfisher Airlines suspended all operations in October 2012 after employees went on strike over unpaid salaries. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation suspended the airline's operating permit in December 2012. The permit was never reinstated, and the airline has not operated any flights since October 2012.

Why did Kingfisher Airlines fail?
Kingfisher Airlines failed due to a combination of factors: aggressive debt-financed expansion, rising aviation fuel costs, intense competition from low-cost carriers, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the airline's inability to achieve profitability. The airline never reported an annual profit and accumulated losses exceeding $1.5 billion. Unpaid salaries, fuel bills, and tax dues led to operational shutdown and regulatory action.

Where was Kingfisher Airlines headquartered?
Kingfisher Airlines was headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The airline operated from multiple hubs including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, with its registered office in Bangalore.

Is Kingfisher Airlines still operating?
No, Kingfisher Airlines has not operated any flights since October 2012. The company's operating permit was suspended by the DGCA in December 2012 and never reinstated. The company's shares are suspended from trading on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Kingfisher Airlines Limited technically remains a corporate entity but has no operational business.

What happened to Vijay Mallya?
Vijay Mallya left India on March 2, 2016, and has remained in the United Kingdom since then. He faces extradition proceedings to India on charges of fraud and money laundering related to Kingfisher Airlines' unpaid debts of approximately Rs 9,000 crore ($1.3 billion) owed to Indian banks. A UK court approved his extradition in 2018, but Mallya has pursued multiple legal appeals. As of 2026, the extradition has not been carried out.

How much debt did Kingfisher Airlines owe?
Kingfisher Airlines owed approximately Rs 9,000 crore ($1.3 billion) to a consortium of 17 Indian banks led by the State Bank of India. The banks have pursued recovery through the Debt Recovery Tribunal and the Enforcement Directorate, which attached assets worth approximately Rs 9,000 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Recovery remains incomplete as of 2026.

What was Kingfisher Airlines' peak market share?
At its peak in 2010-2011, Kingfisher Airlines held approximately 25% of India's domestic aviation market, making it the second-largest carrier in the country. The airline operated approximately 375 daily flights to 71 destinations with a fleet of 66 aircraft.