"3,000 employees got a Diwali gift from chairman Vijay Mallya in the form of no salary despite his commitment," airline sources said.

"It is a dark Diwali for us. The management has once again failed to keep its commitment on payment of salary dues. We did not receive salaries in our account till late last night, although the management had made tall claims of clearing our

dues by the festival," the sources said.

The airline, which is grounded since October 1 after its engineers and pilots went on strike demanding payment of their salary dues, has not paid its employees since May this year.

The employees, however, called off their strike late last month after the airline's chief executive, Sanjay Agarwal pleaded them to return to work and assured that they will

receive their three-month salaries in staggered schedule by Diwali.

Aviation regulator DGCA suspended Kingfisher's flying licence and asked the airlines to submit a revival plan if it wants to fly again.