Several Kingfisher Airlines pilots stayed away from work on Monday over non-payment of salaries for over three months and indifferent attitude of the management leading to over 40 flights being cancelled across the country.

Kingfisher cancelled 11 flights from Mumbai and three from Delhi after pilots failed to turn up. The cash-strapped airline has also suspended operations at the Kolkata airport where one flight has been cancelled.

Over 20 per cent of Kingfisher flights which have already been curtailed will be hit hard. Pilots have also demanded a meeting with Kingfisher CEO Sanjay Aggawral to assure them payment of all dues. The airline maintains that it has back-up to operate flights for now.

Kingfisher issued a statement claiming that salaries have been delayed as several accounts of the company have been frozen by the tax authorities.

"The flight loads have reduced because of our limited distribution ability caused by IATA suspension. We are therefore combining some of our flights. Also, some of the flights are being cancelled as a result of employee agitation on account of delayed salaries. This situation has arisen as a consequence of our bank accounts having been frozen by the tax authorities. We are making all possible efforts to remedy this temporary situation," said the statement.

"We will operate approximately 80 per cent of our planned schedule. We expect to return to our full schedule shortly. Those guests whose flights are affected are being notified. They are either being accommodated on other airlines or offered a full refund," the airline added.