Go First Passengers And Crew Left Stranded In India, Abroad

Go First‘s abrupt announcement of flight cancellations and bankruptcy has left many crew members and passengers stranded both domestically and overseas. With all flights suspended for three consecutive days (May 3-5), the airline’s voluntary insolvency filing has resulted in a chaotic situation for its staff and passengers in various cities across India and abroad.

The financial crisis that led to this decision has left passengers feeling helpless and uncertain about their travel plans. Operational issues were cited as the reason for the cancellation of all flights on May 3-5, and the Mumbai-based low-cost airline has since halted all reservation bookings for the next two days. The situation has left many individuals facing uncertainty and seeking alternative travel options amidst unforeseen circumstances.

 

Go First’s CEO, Kaushik Khona has released a statement revealing that the airline has applied for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). According to Khona, the company’s financial difficulties stem from the lack of required engines, which were not supplied by Pratt & Whitney (P&W), leading to the grounding of 28 aircraft. The prolonged engine shortage has caused significant financial strain on Go First, necessitating the company to seek insolvency resolution measures to address the issue.

Upon Go First’s decision to cancel newly-made reservations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) promptly issued a show-cause notice to the airline for non-compliance with regulatory requirements. The DGCA noted that the airline had not informed them of the cancellations in advance, which is a clear violation of schedule approval standards. Additionally, Go First failed to provide a written explanation of the cancellations and their underlying causes. The DGCA expressed serious apprehension over Go First’s failure to adhere to the authorized timetable, which could lead to significant disruptions for passengers and a violation of CAR, Section 3, Series M, Part IV.

As a result, the aviation regulator called on Go First to provide a compelling rationale for why the airline should not face repercussions for this infringement. A response to the notice was requested from the airline within 24 hours, and failing to do so would result in unilateral action being taken. Furthermore, the DGCA urged Go First to submit a comprehensive plan of action that would enable the airline to resume flights in accordance with the authorised timetable on May 5. It is essential that Go First take all necessary steps to comply with regulatory requirements and prioritise the comfort and convenience of its passengers.

Go First CEO Kaushik Khona has provided assurance to the company’s more than 5,000 employees who are currently experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety due to the uncertain future of the airline. Khona emphasized that the company values its employees and will prioritize their well-being by taking the utmost care to manage this situation. In order to achieve this, Khona stated that the company is making every effort to ensure the best possible outcome for all affected employees. Despite these reassurances, some Go First employees claim to be unaware of the airline’s strategy beyond May 5th, leading to feelings of uncertainty and fear for their job security.

This has understandably caused a significant setback for the airline’s workforce. Should Go First be forced to suspend operations for a prolonged period, employees expressed concern that they may lose their jobs entirely. Passengers have also been impacted by Go First’s current situation, with many now stranded in various cities across Asia and India. They now face the additional financial burden of having to pay a significant sum to reach their originally scheduled destination, compounding the stress and inconvenience caused by the airline’s troubles.

A significant number of individuals who were travelling overseas are currently unable to return to their home country due to unforeseen circumstances. The crew members of GoFirst, comprising pilots and cabin staff, are also affected and are presently located in different parts of the world. Passengers who were planning domestic trips have expressed their frustration and criticized other airlines for exorbitant pricing for flights within the same sector.

In response to the situation, GoFirst has announced that it will issue full refunds to affected passengers. On Tuesday, the airline initiated voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) based in Delhi. The company has justified this drastic step by citing a severe financial crisis caused by the failure of Pratt & Whitney (P&W) to provide engines, which it claims is the root cause of its current situation.

Numerous customers are currently encountering issues as their flights have been unexpectedly cancelled, leaving them in a state of frustration and uncertainty. They were informed that they would be reimbursed by the airline within a week, but this has not eased their predicament. Many of these passengers had planned their trips well in advance and now find themselves in a difficult situation, unable to reach their desired destinations on time.

To make matters worse, between May 3 and May 5, flight crews were left stranded in various locations, unable to carry out their scheduled flights. Those who are stranded overseas face particular difficulties, as they may not be authorized to leave the airport in case of an emergency. One crew member expressed concern that the situation would become increasingly challenging if the airline did not arrange for alternative flights home, as being stuck at the airport for prolonged periods of time is incredibly taxing. In addition to passengers and flight crews, employees of the airline have also been affected by the cancellations and delays.

Many are currently stranded at domestic airports with little information on what the future holds. As a result, Go First must respond to inquiries from both customers and staff, providing clear guidance on the next steps to be taken in this trying situation. Furthermore, given the extended time that crew members and employees may be forced to spend at airports, the issue of compensating them for their extra time and expenses needs to be addressed by the airline.

Proofread & Published By, Naveenika Chauhan