India's Aviation Regulator Asks Go First To Stop Bookings With Immediate Effect

Directing the Go First to stop sale of tickets with immediate effect, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to the embattled domestic airline for its failure to continue operations in a safe, efficient and reliable manner.

According to the aviation regulator, in view of the sudden cancellation of flights and initiation of corporate insolvency resolution process under IBC by Go First, a show cause notice has been issued to Go First under the relevant provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

The show cause was issued on Monday to stop the bookings with immediate effect till further orders.

DGCA said it has asked Go First to submit its reply within 15 days of the receipt of the show cause notice.

It will then take a decision on the continuation of its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) will be taken on the basis of the reply submitted by it.

The move came after the airline earlier in the day requested the National Company of Law Tribunal (NCLT) to urgently pass an order on its insolvency plea.

The domestic airline on Friday said that its flight operations will remain suspended till 12 May, due to “operational reasons”. Earlier, the airline had suspended flights till 9 May and suspended bookings till 15 May.

Go First applied for a voluntary insolvency process before the NCLT after the airline announced that it has suspended its flights till 3 May.

While announcing that it has filed for insolvency proceedings, Go First last Tuesday blamed engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney (P&W) for its financial situation.

The domestic air carrier said it was “forced to apply to the NCLT” after “the ever-increasing number of failing engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney’s International Aero Engines” led to the grounding of 25 aircraft, or half its fleet of Airbus A320neo planes.

In view of the prevailing situation, Go First has been directed by the DGCA to stop booking and sale of tickets directly or indirectly, with immediate effect and until further orders.