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A little over a month ago, we opined that Kingfisher’s announced withdrawal from the low cost segment would most likely lead to an enforced fleet reduction at the beleagured carrier.
It appears our fears are coming true,
The airline announced that lessor AerCap Holdings N.V. of the Netherlands will be taking back possession of two aircraft.
In a statement spokespersons for the airline said
Aercap had two aircraft coming up for renewal in the next 3 months where we could not agree on mutually acceptable extension terms. The aircraft will soon be in a MRO for preparation for redelivery.
As per research by Bangalore Aviation the two aircraft being taken back are both A320’s. Most likely VT-DKT and VT-DKS. Both were delivered in end April 2006 to the erstwhile Air Deccan which was acquired by Kingfisher and re-branded Kingfisher Red. Both aircraft are in a all economy 180 seat configuration.
The statement went on the say
We are adding a brand new aircraft to the fleet in December to replace one of these two.
Most likely, Kingfisher Airlines is taking delivery of the one pending A320 it has on order with Airbus. MSN4961 test registration D-AXAY.
However, potential troubles with other lessors are the carrier are continuing. The Wall Street Journal reports
….at least two lessors have agents at Kingfisher’s offices copying documents relating to their planes. These agents also are monitoring the debt-laden airline’s planes to ensure that parts aren’t removed in ways that violate lease terms.
Kingfisher spokesman Prakash Mirpuri said in an email that “all leasing companies have the contractual right to access the documents for all their aircraft on an ‘as needed’ basis.”
Every commercial aircraft has reams of records about its use and maintenance. If the information is missing or incomplete, an otherwise usable jetliner could be grounded for safety reasons. Copying documents is a precaution in case the planes are repossessed and it is impossible to recover their accompanying records, aviation officials said.
