Kingfisher has not asked for bailout package: Vayalar Ravi

KOCHI: The crisis-ridden Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by Vijay Mallya, has not asked for any bailout package from the Centre, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said today.

This has not come before my ministry, Ravi told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

"I have seen Mallya, but I cannot disclose what we had discussed," he said.

The Minister had yesterday clarified in New Delhi that no such bailout package was pending before the government, nor has it been proposed by the Civil Aviation Ministry for the Kingfisher Airlines.

On the issue of FDI in civil aviation, he said it cannot be decided in a day. "If the proposals come, then only can we consider it."

Referring to the frisking of former President A P J Abdul Kalam in United States, Ravi said it was "unfortunate". "Government had earlier taken up such issues. It is an insult to the nation," he said.

When it was pointed out that the US has apologised for the incident, he said it is an admission that they have done a wrong thing.