Kingfisher Airlines may have two years to restart operations but top aviation ministry sources say that unless the airline does so in the next month or two, it could well be the end of the road for it. For the airline's international flying rights—which remain in demand even when domestic traffic is dipping sharply—are going to be given to other Indian carriers, along with its airport slots, in the coming summer schedule if KFA shows no sign of life soon.

And then Kingfisher, which in its eagerness to start flying abroad before completing five years had bought Air Deccan to do so on its permit, will have to wait endlessly for foreign rights. "After that an airline will be able to get more foreign routes only when India and other countries enhance their bilateral flying. If Kingfisher has to start flying , it must do so in the coming weeks. Both state-run Airports Authority of India and private metro airports are also not going to reserve its slots, both domestic and international , forever," said a senior official.

Meanwhile, the 17-bank consortium that had funded the grounded Kingfisher Airlines Ltd will meet at Mumbai on January 18. Bankers are expected to take a final call on initiating recovery proceedings against the beleaguered private airline, which has a liability of close to Rs 7,500 crore. The airlne’s licence to fly had expired on December 31. This may, however, be renewed until December 2014.

Also, few days back, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines to clear employees' dues at one go before being allowed to resume operations. The airline's flying licence expired on Monday.

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