Go First Update: Aviation watchdog DGCA has asked crisis-hit GoFirst to submit a comprehensive plan for revival of its operations, a source said today (May 25). The budget carrier, which is undergoing a voluntary insolvency resolution process, stopped flying on 3 May.
The regulator’s source said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on May 24 advised the airline to submit a comprehensive restructuring plan within a period of 30 days for sustainable revival of operations.
Besides, the watchdog has asked the airline to furnish operational aircraft, availability of pilots and other personnel, maintenance arrangements and funding status, among other details. The source said that the revival plan once submitted by GoFirst will be reviewed by the DGCA so that further appropriate action can be taken.
DGCA will do go first audit:
Meanwhile, aviation regulator DGCA will audit GoFirst’s preparedness before approving the resumption of flights, the beleaguered airline’s head of operations has told its staff. A senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official on Tuesday (May 24) said that the airline has submitted its reply to the regulator’s show cause notice, indicating that it plans to resume flights in Delhi. working on. as soon as possible.
“The DGCA will conduct an audit to check our preparedness in the coming days. Once approved by the regulator, we will start operations soon,” the airline said in a letter sent to employees on Tuesday. The government has been very supportive and has asked the airline to resume operations at the earliest.
The communication was sent by Rajit Ranjan, Head of Operations, GoFirst. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday to a question on resumption of flights by GoFirst said, “We have not received anything from GoFirst so far. Mind, look at the safety protocols and take a decision based on that.”
He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the annual session of industry body CII in the national capital. Meanwhile, the airline’s communication to the employees also said that the CEO has assured that the salaries for April will be credited into their accounts before the resumption of operations.
Moreover, from the coming month, the salary will be paid in the first week of every month.
DGCA issues show cause notice to GoFirst
On May 8, the DGCA issued a show cause notice to the budget carrier under relevant provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 for failure to continue operating the service in a safe, efficient and reliable manner. The airline has filed its reply to the show cause notice.
Go First, on 2 May, announced the filing of a petition for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings as well as suspension of flights, initially for two days—3 and 4 May. At that time too, the DGCA had issued a show cause notice for the cancellation of Go First. Flights for May 3 and 4 “without prior notice”.
The airline has canceled all its flights till May 26. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday upheld the NCLT’s decision to admit GoFirst’s plea for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings.
The decision came on petitions filed by four lessors opposing the airline’s insolvency resolution process.
(with inputs from agencies)
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