Go First (Mumbai International) has pushed back any restart of flights until at least May 26, 2023, citing operational reasons. The airline suspended all flights and declared insolvency earlier this month, blaming engine supply issues for causing a cash flow crisis. It has since pushed out its proposed restart date several times.
"As you are aware, the company has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations. We will be able to resume bookings shortly," a notice on the airline's website reads. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also ordered the airline to stop taking any bookings until the question of its restart is resolved.
Go First, which has a fleet of now-inactive 54 aircraft, including forty-nine A320-200Ns, has faced long-running issues with its supply of Pratt & Whitney engines, causing it to ground many aircraft in the lead up to its insolvency. The airline filed an application to enter into the corporate insolvency resolution process under s.10 of India’s Insolvency Bankruptcy Code, which the New Delhi bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) accepted on May 10.
After an initial two-day pause of flights, suspensions were extended until May 24 amid revelations Go First owed lessors over USD92 million, and banks a total of INR65.21 billion (USD793 million). The latest flight suspension extension was advised on May 18.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that the Federation of Indian Pilots wants India's Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow Go First pilots to resign without having to serve out the mandated 12 month (six months for co-pilots) notice period. Go First pilots are now reportedly facing issues with salary payments and many are looking for new jobs, including at the Tata Sonswned Air India (AI, Delhi International).
