As we report in our cover story this month, just days before being welcomed into oneworld as a full member, Kingfisher Airlines was asked to hold off on its membership until the airline could have time to strengthen its financial position according to a statement from the oneworld alliance.

Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya added: “In light of the many priorities centred around Kingfisher Airlines’ recapitalisation efforts, we felt it prudent to defer our entry into the alliance for a little while. This will allow us the opportunity to focus on the issues at hand and we look forward to being part of the oneworld alliance very shortly.”