Go First to resume scheduled flight operations after getting approval from DGCA, with certain conditions

The cash-strapped budget carrier Go First on Friday announced that they will resume scheduled flight operations after getting the approval and availability of flight schedules by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with additional conditions.

Go First stopped flying from May 3, in a major blow to its passengers, and was undergoing insolvency resolution process and aviation regulator DGCA had conducted a special audit of the airline after a preliminary review of the resumption plan submitted by the Resolution Professional (RP) for the airline on June 28, 2023.

“Go First may resume scheduled flight operations on availability of interim funding and approval of flight schedule by DGCA. Further, Go First has been directed to ensure compliance with all the applicable regulatory requirements, ensure continued airworthiness of the aircraft engaged in operations and subjecting every aircraft to a satisfactory handling flight prior to deployment for flight operations,” read a press release, adding that the resumption plan on June 28 was reviewed and accepted by the DGCA.

On May 10, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the airline’s voluntary plea for initiating the resolution proceedings. Srinivasan also told the tribunal that the DGCA has formed a special audit committee that will audit the aircraft and its readiness before permitting restarting of operations as per the business resumption plan.

The Delhi High Court on July 5 had permitted several aircraft lessors who had leased out their planes to Go First Airlines to carry out inspection and interim maintenance of their planes. Go First decided to challenge the Delhi High Court’s ruling as there are inconsistencies with the order passed by the National Company Law Tribunal in the case, according to the grounded airline’s resolution professional.

Meanwhile, the airline has filed its reply before the tribunal on the pleas filed by the lessors of aircraft and engines. The lessors alleged that the resolution professional is not maintaining their aircraft as per the NCLT’s last order.

One of the lessors JSAIL (Jackson Square Aviation Ireland Ltd) told the tribunal everything the resolution professional is doing is detrimental to Go First. Its counsel Arun Kathpalia said holding the aircraft will only increase the costs and other troubles for Go First.

A two-member NCLT bench comprising Members Mahendra Khandelwal and Rahul Prasad Bhatnagar had granted lessors a week’s time to file their rejoinder. The tribunal has directed to list the matter for hearing on August 4.

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