Engine troubles stall Go First's flight path

Airline files for bankruptcy amid ‘ever-increasing’ engine issues

- Anu Sharma

The Wadia group on Tuesday referred its budget airline Go First to a bankruptcy court in Delhi, citing “ever-increasing” issues with aircraft engines made by Pratt & Whitney, a move that may mark the group’s exit from the airline business.

Consequently, the airline has suspended operations for the next three days, leaving it to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Delhi, to decide its future course of action. Earlier in the day, Go First informed its travel partners of the three-day shutdown, followed by a statement confirming the filing of an insolvency resolution process.

“Go First has had to take this step due to the ever-increasing number of failing engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney’s International Aero Engines, LLC, which has resulted in Go First having to ground 25 aircraft as of 1 May 2023,” the airline said. These engine issues led to the grounding of approximately 50% of its Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet of 54 planes.

Meanwhile, the civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued a show cause notice to the airline as it abruptly cancelled flights for 3 May and 4 May. The regulator has sought a response from the airline within 24 hours on the matter.

Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the government has been working with Go First to address the supply chain issues and will now help minimize the impact of the grounding on passengers.