DGCA orders GoFirst to immediately stop selling flight tickets

New Delhi : Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to Go First airline amid the airline's failure to maintain safe, efficient, and reliable operations. As a result, the DGCA has instructed Go First to halt the sale of tickets immediately until further notice.

Previously, Go First had announced the cancellation of all flights until May 12. The airline, which is owned by the Wadia Group, has submitted a request for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), and the tribunal has yet to issue its decision.

Initially, Go First had cancelled flights for three days from May 3, but the cancellation period was subsequently extended until May 9. Currently, flights are cancelled until May 12, while the DGCA has ordered the airline to suspend ticket sales until May 15. Additionally, the regulator has instructed Go First to provide refunds to passengers in accordance with the specified timelines set forth in applicable regulations.

Go First has attributed the grounding of half of its fleet to the failure of engine manufacturer P&W to supply Airbus A320 plane engines, leading to financial difficulties and ultimately bankruptcy. The airline has indicated that it intends to pursue legal action against Pratt & Whitney in multiple countries.