The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken decisive action against Go First by deregistering all 54 planes leased by the bankrupt airline. This move grants lessors the freedom to reclaim their aircraft from the struggling carrier, which is grappling with financial woes and engine malfunctions, and is currently undergoing insolvency resolution proceedings. Foreign lessors have sought legal assistance to retrieve their assets from the defunct airline.
Responding to lessors’ requests, the Delhi High Court instructed the DGCA on April 26 to promptly process the deregistration applications. The regulator granted the airline a five-day window to meet the deadline, and all 54 aircraft have now been deregistered. Details regarding the deregistration of Go First planes are available on the DGCA’s official website.
When did Go First halt operations?
Go First ceased operations on May 3, 2023, and its voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings were approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10 of the same year.
Recently, an A320 aircraft with registration number VT-WJL was deregistered by the DGCA on April 29.
Last year, a lessor from Ireland requested deregistration under the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA), which allows lessors to reclaim leased aircraft in case of airline default under the Cape Town Convention.