In a rare and candid admission, Vijay Mallya has publicly apologized to former Kingfisher Airlines employees over unpaid salaries, acknowledging their suffering and taking responsibility for the airline’s collapse. Speaking on a recent podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Mallya said, “I am deeply sorry for what happened… I am deeply sorry that some of them didn’t get paid their salaries. I have no excuses to offer, I take full responsibility.”
Mallya explained that although funds had been deposited with the Karnataka High Court, his efforts to use the money to pay staff salaries were blocked. “I specifically applied to the court to pay the salaries of Kingfisher Airlines staff. The banks objected, and the court refused permission. There was really nothing I could do beyond that,” he said, emphasizing that legal constraints prevented him from resolving the dues despite his intentions.
Reflecting on the airline’s failure, Mallya attributed a major part of it to the 2008 global financial crisis. He claimed he had sought government permission to scale down operations and reduce costs but was advised against it, being assured instead that banks would continue to support the airline.
Mallya also addressed his ongoing legal battles and the perception of him as a fugitive. While admitting he hasn’t returned to India since 2016 and accepts being called a "fugitive," he firmly denied allegations of theft. “You may call me a fugitive, but I didn’t run away… But where is the ‘chor’ coming from? Where is the ‘chori’?” he questioned.