To The Members,
The Directors present the 16th Annual Report along with the Audited
Accounts of your Company for the year ended March 31, 2011.
Operations
Your Company''s operations during the year ended March 31, 2011 have
resulted in:
(Rs. in million)
Year ended Year ended
March March
31, 2011 31, 2010
Gross Income 64,956 52,710
Earnings before financial 11,243 4,036
charges, lease rentals, depreciation &
amortization and taxes (EBITDAR)
Add/Less:
Depreciation & Amortization 2,410 2,173
Lease Rentals 9,840 10,938
Financial charges 13,129 11,026
Profit/ (Loss) before taxes (14,137) (20,100)
Provision for taxes (including 4,934 7,707
FBT)
Net Profit / (Loss) from (9,203) (12,393)
ordinary activities after tax
Foreign exchange translation 158 502
difference
Exceptional Item 912 3,577
Net Profit / (Loss) after tax (10,274) (16,472)
Scheduled Airline Operations
During the year under review, your Company had a domestic market share
of 19.8% and carried more than 12 million passengers across both
domestic and international sectors. Fleet size of aircraft used in
scheduled operations stood at 66 aircraft at year end, and an average
schedule comprised of 366 domestic and 28 international flights daily
over a route network (as on March 31, 2011) covering 59 domestic and 8
international destinations.
During the year under review, 14 of the Airbus A320 family aircraft in
your Company''s fleet which use the V2500 engines manufactured by IAE
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) had to be grounded due to
technical problems relating to the engines. Your Company has made
arrangements with IAE to perform maintenance and support work on its
entire fleet of engines, including undertaking those measures
identified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration and
other support work to improve on- wing performance. By March 31, 2011,
your Company had re-introduced ten aircraft back into service and the
balance have also since been inducted into operations.
The grounding of aircraft resulted in a 10% (1,222 million seat
kilometres) drop in domestic capacity. Despite the drop in domestic
capacity by 10%, your Company''s domestic passenger count increased by
2.6% demonstrating sharply improved productivity.
During the year under review, your Company undertook a further
expansion in its international operations by introduction of a new
wide-body route from Delhi to Hong Kong and narrow- body routes from
Delhi to Kathmandu and from Delhi and Mumbai to Bangkok and Dubai.
Your Company is the only Indian airline to be a member- elect of
oneworld, which is the premier global airline alliance. It brings
strong brand recognition comprising leading airlines such as American
Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Finnair. oneworld
serves airports in 150 countries through 9,000 daily flights with
member airlines based in every continent.
Kingfisher Airlines'' code share arrangements with British Airways has
accelerated the growth trajectory of your Company into key
international markets providing enhanced connectivity and traffic. Your
Company has achieved market share leadership in most of the
international sectors where operations have been launched, within a
short span of 1 to 2 years of launch. This resulted in your Company''s
combined domestic and international capacity increasing by 9.2% (1,365
million seat kilometers), while the total passenger count has increased
by 8.9%.
Your Company has continued major initiatives during the year to reduce
distribution costs, implement fuel management systems, improve aircraft
utilization and re- negotiate general contracts in order to enforce
revenue and cost competitiveness.
To enhance consumer connect, your Company continued its focus on
various marketing and commercial initiatives including tie-ups with
corporate houses to get premium business. Campaigns to leverage and
promote your Company''s network reach and product offerings were
launched. During the year under review, your Company won the coveted
award for the best frequent flyer program in category ''Best Promotion
for Redemption'' and ''Best Loyalty Credit Card'' at Frequent Travellers
Awards 2011.
In view of operating losses incurred during the year, your Directors do
not recommend payment of any dividend.
Subsidiaries
The statement of your Company''s interest in its only subsidiary, Vitae
India Spirits Limited, as at March 31, 2011, prepared in accordance
with the provisions of Section 212(3) of the Companies Act, 1956 is
attached to the Balance Sheet.
Outlook
Your Company is one of India''s largest domestic carriers by passengers
flown and cities served. Your Company has continued to enjoy market
leadership with a wide network reach in India, a growing international
presence, an awarded frequent flyer program and wide distribution.
The country''s economy continues to be strong with GDP growth estimates
being maintained in the range of 8 - 8.5%. Passenger traffic has been
buoyant in the current year as recovery continues on the back of a
strengthening macro-economic environment. Domestic seat capacity is
expected to expand lower than growth in demand, enabling improved
revenue performance for the industry. In fact your Company has achieved
load factors in excess of 80% in the current year. To further improve
consumer franchise, various marketing initiatives and enhanced customer
loyalty programs have been undertaken.
Your Company is optimistic of improved performance in the current year,
primarily driven by improving domestic and international passenger
revenue, the benefits of debt recast together with lowered interest
burden, and various other initiatives taken by your Company to lower
direct operating costs.
Debt Recast Package
During the year under review, your Company has implemented a Debt
Recast Package with its consortium of bankers, salient features of
which are:
1) (a) (i) Rs.7,501 million of Loan from the bankers was converted into
7.5% Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares. The 7.5% Compulsorily
Convertible Preference Shares were thereafter converted into equity
shares in accordance with the pricing regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
(ii) Rs. 5,531 million of Loan from the bankers was converted into 8%
Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares redeemable at par after 12
years.
(iii) Repayment of the balance loans was rescheduled with a moratorium
on repayment of principal of 2 years and step-up repayment over the
subsequent 7 years.
(iv) Interest for the period July 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 on loans
from the banks was converted into a funded interest term loan repayable
in 9 years including 2 years moratorium.
(v) Interest rate on loans reduced by over 300 bps.
(vi) Additional fund based loan facilities of Rs.7,683.2 million and
non-fund based facilities of Rs.4,444 million sanctioned by the banks.
(vii) Part of the working capital limits of Rs.2,974 million converted
into working capital term loans.
(b) Loans from Promoters of Rs. 6,480 million were converted into 7.5%
Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares and thereafter into equity
shares, pricing as per SEBI regulations. Also, the terms of 6%
Redeemable Preference Shares of Rs. 970 million issued to the Promoters
were varied so that they became 6% Compulsorily Convertible Preference
Shares which thereafter were converted into equity shares, pricing as
per SEBI regulations.
Consequent to (a) and (b) above, your Company''s paid-up equity capital
stood increased from Rs. 2,659,088,830 to Rs. 4,977,792,230 on March
31, 2011.
2) Loans / Inter corporate deposits from certain business associates
aggregating to Rs.7,093 million were converted into 7,09,31,985 8%
optionally convertible debentures of Rs.100/- each (OCDs) which are
convertible into equity shares for a period of 18 months from their
issue, after which they are redeemable. These OCDs are convertible into
equity shares at the option of the holder, and at a conversion price to
be determined as per applicable SEBI regulations with reference to the
date of conversion. As a result, it is not presently possible to
determine either the date of conversion of the OCDs, or the number of
equity shares which may be issued and allotted if and when OCDs are
converted.
It is proposed that the terms of the OCDs be varied such that, in the
event the Board decides to undertake the Rights Issue which is to occur
prior to 18 months from the date of allotment of the OCDs, the OCDs
shall become redeemable, in part or in full and in one or more
tranches, at the option of the Board, and in such quantity as may be
mutually agreed by the Board and the holders of the OCDs. The
redemption proceeds of OCDs along with accrued interest are to be
appropriated towards subscription to equity shares in the rights issue.
In the event the rights issue has not opened for subscription or after
opening for subscription has not successfully closed during the period
of 18 months from the date of allotment of the OCDs, the OCDs shall be
governed by their original terms of issue. Approval of the Members is
being sought at the Annual General Meeting for such variation in the
terms of the said OCDs.
Capital
During the year under review, your Company''s Authorised Share Capital
was increased from Rs. 10,000,000,000/- comprising of 900,000,000
Equity Shares of Rs. 10/- each and 10,000,000 Preference Shares of Rs.
100/- each to Rs. 42,500,000,000/- comprising of 1,650,000,000 Equity
Shares of Rs. 10/- each and 260,000,000 Preference Shares of Rs. 100/-
each at the Annual General Meeting held on September 30, 2010.
Subsequently, at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on December 20,
2010, the Authorised Share Capital was re-classified into 1,650,000,000
Equity Shares of Rs. 10/- each and 2,600,000,000 Preference Shares of
Rs. 10/- each.
Consequent upon the implementation of the Debt Recast Package, the
Issued, Subscribed and Paid- up Share Capital of your Company has
increased from Rs. 3,629,088,830/- divided into 265,908,883 Equity
Shares of Rs. 10/- each and 9,700,000 6% Redeemable Non-Cumulative
Preference Shares of Rs. 100/- each to Rs. 10,508,792,230/- divided
into 497,779,223 Equity Shares of Rs. 10/- each and 553,100,000 8%
Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares of Rs. 10/- each.
Depository System
The trading in the equity shares of your Company is under compulsory
dematerialization mode. As of date, equity shares representing 90.49%
of the equity share capital are in dematerialized form. As the
depository system offers numerous advantages, members are requested to
take advantage of the same and avail of the facility of
dematerialization of your Company''s shares.
Auditors'' Report
As regards observations in para 4 of Auditors'' Report, the Statutory
Auditors have qualified their report by remarking that the receipt of
subsidy from aircraft manufacturers should be recognized as income on
an systematic basis over the period necessary to match them with
related costs which they are intended to compensate though the
accounting treatment does not appear to be covered by the Accounting
Standard (AS)-19 (Accounting for Leases) issued by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India. In the opinion of the Directors:
(1) The lessor of the Aircraft is a person other than the Aircraft
manufacturer and the lease contract is independent of the contract with
Aircraft manufacturer.
(2) The termination, if any, of the lease contract does not in any
event breach the conditions for the grant of subsidy by the Aircraft
manufacturer.
(3) The subsidy value, referred to in Para 4 of the Audit Report have
been received by the Company during the 15 months period ended June 30,
2006. As per Section 28 (iv) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and
precedents available under Income Tax laws, including pronouncements of
the Apex Court, the revenue arising out of support packages will be
treated as income for taxation purposes and therefore, it would not be
prudent for the Company to treat the said revenues differently in the
books of Accounts and for taxation purposes.
(4) In the event of non compliance of the contract with the Aircraft
manufacturer, the resultant possibility of recovery of subsidy granted
by the Aircraft manufacturer has been disclosed as contingent liability
and this accounting treatment adopted by the Company is also based on
the well established principle of differentiation of revenue receipt
and capital receipt.
In view of the above, in the opinion of the Company, the accounting
treatment of the support package, received from the Aircraft
manufacturer, as Income in the year of accrual and receipt is in order.
The fair market value of these Aircraft is not easily ascertainable due
to the unique specifications of the Aircraft. Therefore, the management
has obtained the valuation report for Aircraft of similarly type from a
leasing company to ascertain the fair market value which is higher than
the sale price of these Aircraft. This is also supported by the fact
that the insurance value to be covered as per respective Lease
Agreement is much more than the sale value of the Aircraft.
As regards the observations in para 6 of the Auditors'' Report, the
Company has adopted the Exposure draft on Accounting Standard - 10
(Revised) ''Tangible Fixed Assets'' which allows such costs on major
repairs and maintenance incurred to be amortized over the incremental
life of the asset. The Company has extended the same treatment to costs
incurred on major repairs and maintenance for engines pertaining to
aircrafts acquired on Operating Lease.
As regards the observations in para 13(a) of the Auditors'' Report, the
Note number 16 to Notes to Accounts (Schedule 19) is self explanatory.
As regards the observations in the Annexure to the Auditors'' Report,
the Company has taken/ is taking necessary steps to ensure improvement
in certain procedures and also compliance with relevant laws.
Directors
Mr. Ghyanendra Nath Bajpai and Mr. Subhash R. Gupte, Directors, retire
by rotation and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-appointment.
During the year under review, Dr. Naresh Trehan resigned from the Board
of Directors of your Company effective August 11, 2010.
Subsequent to the year under review, Diwan Arun Nanda has tendered his
resignation from the Board of Directors of your Company. His
resignation will be effective September 5, 2011.
Auditors
M/s. B. K. Ramadhyani & Co, your Company''s Auditors have confirmed that
they are eligible for re-appointment at the ensuing Annual General
Meeting and it is proposed to re-appoint them and to fix their
remuneration.
Listing of Shares of Your Company
All the equity shares of your Company are listed on the Bombay Stock
Exchange Limited and The National Stock Exchange of India Limited. The
listing fee for the year 2011-12 has been paid to these Stock
Exchanges.
Corporate Governance
A report on Corporate Governance is annexed separately as part of this
Report along with a certificate of compliance from a Company Secretary
in practice. Necessary requirements of obtaining certifications/
declarations in terms of Clause 49 have been complied with.
Management Discussion and Analysis
Pursuant to Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement with the Stock
Exchanges, the Management Discussion and Analysis Report is annexed and
forms an integral part of the Annual Report.
Human Resources
Employee relations remained cordial. The information as are required to
be provided in terms of Section 217(2A) of the Companies Act, 1956 read
with the amended Companies (Particulars of Employees) Rules, 1975, have
been included as an annexure to this Report.
Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP)
Disclosures as required by Clause 12 of the SEBI (Employee Stock Option
Scheme and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme), Guidelines 1999 are annexed
to this Report.
Conservation of Energy, Research and Development, Technology
Absorption, Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo
The particulars as prescribed under section 217(1)(e) of the Companies
Act, 1956 and the rules framed thereunder are not applicable to your
Company.
The relevant information relating to Foreign Exchange Earning and Outgo
appears in the Notes Nos. 6 to 8 of Schedule 19 to the Financial
Statements.
Directors'' Responsibility Statement
Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956, in relation to
the Financial Statements of your Company for the year ended March 31,
2011, the Board of Directors reports that:
- in the preparation of the Accounts for the year ended March 31, 2011,
the applicable accounting standards have been followed along with
proper explanation relating to material departures;
- accounting policies have been selected and applied consistently and
that the judgments and estimates made are reasonable and prudent so as
to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of your Company as
at March 31, 2011 and of the Loss of your Company for the year ended
March 31, 2011;
- proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956, for safeguarding the assets of your Company and
for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
- the accounts for the year ended March 31, 2011, have been prepared on
a going concern basis.
Thank You
Your Directors place on record their sincere appreciation for the
continued support from shareholders, customers, the Government of India
especially the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General
of Civil Aviation, the various State Governments, Airports Authority of
India, the Reserve Bank of India, lending banks and financial
institutions, suppliers, other business associates and employees.
For and on Behalf of the Board of Directors
Mumbai Dr. Vijay Mallya
August 25, 2011 Chairman & Managing Director
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