In a decisive move that could spell the end for Go First, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, is deliberating the permanent revocation of the airline’s domestic airport slots and international flying rights. This ominous development casts a shadow over Go First’s prospects of resuming operations, signaling a grim future for the beleaguered carrier.
The trajectory of Go First, formerly known as GoAir, has been marred by turbulence in recent years. Following its declaration of bankruptcy in May 2023, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) imposed a moratorium on the airline’s assets, safeguarding its flying rights and domestic airport slots in India. However, the recent directive from the DGCA suggests a seismic shift in the airline’s fate.
The government’s temporary allocation of flying rights of Go First to other carriers in the Winter Schedule for 2023 and Summer Schedule for 2024 is poised to be solidified into a permanent decision by the end of this month. This move comes hot on the heels of a significant ruling by the Delhi High Court on April 26, 2024. The court directed the DGCA to expedite the processing of de-registration applications for the aircraft leased by Go First, a process that was completed by May 1, 2024.
The approval of de-registration for most of Go First’s 54 aircraft, sought by multiple lessors after the airline’s grounding in May 2023, has left the carrier on precarious footing. Stripped of its operational assets and now facing the imminent loss of its flying rights, Go First finds itself on the brink of collapse. The airline’s woes stem from a confluence of factors, including operational challenges and supply chain disruptions.
Founded in 2005, Go First carved a niche for itself in India’s competitive aviation landscape. However, the headwinds it faces today threaten to erase decades of progress. With its domestic and international flying rights in jeopardy, Go First confronts a daunting reality: attracting investors and salvaging operations may be an insurmountable challenge.
As stakeholders await the DGCA’s final decision on the fate of Go First’s flying rights, the airline’s future hangs in the balance.
