Facing several legal hurdles, Go First has extended its flight cancellation period until November 30, due to operational reasons. The airline has been grounded since May 3 and is currently under bankruptcy protection.
On Thursday, the airline tweeted: “We regret to inform you that, due to operational reasons, Go First flights scheduled until November 30, 2023, have been cancelled.”
“As you are aware, the company has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations. We will be able to resume bookings shortly.”
The extension comes as the airline faces several legal challenges in various courts and corporate tribunals.
Several media reports on Thursday said that the Delhi High Court has sought an aviation regulator’s (DGCA) response on whether the recent amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, regarding leases of aviation assets, apply to the Go First case.
Meanwhile, the Center is expected to come out with a clarification on the amendment.
Earlier this month, the Center ame
nded the IBC, 2016, to allow lessors to repossess their aircraft and engines, even if the airline they had leased these assets to goes into bankruptcy protection.
The Delhi HC will continue to hear the case filed by aircraft and engine lessors of Go First against DGCA for de-registration of their aircraft and return of their engines. The next date of hearing is slated for November 3.
On October 12, the Delhi High Court allowed Go First’s lessors to deploy private security to protect their leased planes as well as aircraft parts.
In an interim order, the Delhi High Court also directed Go First’s RP (resolution professional) to give lessors’ access to documents detailing the maintenance activities of their leased aircraft, engines, and airframes.
Aircraft lessors have also approached the civil aviation regulator to deregister 45 aircraft leased to Go First Airlines; subsequently, they approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), and the Delhi High Court.