KOCHI: Making it clear that the ministry has no plans to bail out the debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines, Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi categorically denied that the airlines had asked for any financial assistance. “Kingfisher Airlines has not asked for the Centre’s help and the matter has not come before my Ministry,” he told reporters here.On reports that banks had been asked to extend credit limits for the airlines, Ravi said no such instruction had been given. “The banks have their own business and policies. The government cannot take a decision in this respect. My ministry had not given any instruction regarding this. I am not aware if any instruction has been given from the Finance Ministry,” he said. Stating that he had indeed met Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya, the minister said that details of the discussion could not be devulged to the media.Pointing out that it was just not Kingfisher that was under crisis, he said: “The industry as a whole is facing problems. After reaching Delhi, I will talk to the airlines authorities regarding the crisis.” When asked if there were any proposal for bringing in FDI in the aviation sector, Ravi said: “It is not a matter to be decided in a day. If proposals come, then we will consider.”Kingfisher Airlines, run by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, has been passing through tough times for the last so many months with the airlines losing nearly Rs 1,000 crore in the current financial year.
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