New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed beleaguered airline GoFirst to stop the sale of air tickets with immediate effect until further orders, nearly a week after promoters Wadia Group filed for insolvency.
The DGCA has also issued a show-cause notice to the airline for its failure to continue operations in a safe and reliable manner, according to a senior DGCA official.
“In view of the sudden cancellation of flights and initiation of corporate insolvency resolution process under IBC by Go Airlines (India) Limited (Go First), DGCA has issued a show cause notice to Go First under the relevant provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, for their failure to continue the operation of the service in a safe, efficient and reliable manner,” the official said.
Go First has been given 15 days to reply to the notice, “and further decision on the continuation of their Air Operators Certificate (AOC) will be taken on the basis of the reply submitted by them,” the official added.
“Further, Go First has been directed to stop booking and sale of tickets directly or indirectly, with immediate effect and until further orders,” the official added.
While Go First had posted on its Twitter handles information on suspension of flights till May 3 and later till May 9, it had informed DGCA that it has suspended its flights till May 15.
Last Tuesday, the airline – formerly known as GoAir – blamed “faulty” Pratt and Whitney GTF engines for the grounding of half its fleet which led to the bankruptcy plea. The owners, however, have no plans to exit the aviation sector, the company told Reuters.
Earlier Monday, the company called on the company law tribunal to urgently pass an order on its bankruptcy plea, stating lessors wanted to repossess planes during ongoing legal proceedings.
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