Barring a sudden change of heart from Mallya, who seems unable to save this airline by tapping assets from his United Breweries Holding company, it is hard to see how Kingfisher Airlines survives the year.

FORBES: On Verge Of Bankruptcy, Kingfisher Airlines Loses Airplanes

Kingfisher Airlines is so broke it cannot pay its gorgeous cabin crew, for instance, and Air India is also manifestly in deep distress.

ECONOMIST: Indian banks

India's Kingfisher Airlines has told the aviation regulator that it will pay staff salaries, held up for the last six months, in the next few days.

BBC: Kingfisher Airline to pay salary dues 'soon'