Pilots of Kingfisher Airlines called off their strike on Friday. This came after the management assured them that salaries for January will be paid by May 15.

The airline had cancelled 12 flights on Friday after pilots failed to report to work. Kingfisher Airlines chairman, Mr Vijay Mallya, had written to employees on Thursday threatening action against workers going on strike.

In the letter, Mr Mallya said he will “act firmly and decisively" and that he will not allow a “small group of misguided employees to derail and jeopardize operations”. He also urged employees to ensure that the revised schedule is maintained.

A section of KFA pilots from Delhi and Mumbai did not report for work on Thursday to protest the non-payment of January salaries.

The cash-strapped carrier now operates only 110 flights a day with a fleet of 20 aircraft as against 400 flights per day last year with 66 planes.