DGCA asks Go First to submit revival plan in 30 days
2 min read 25 May 2023, 04:25 PM ISTThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) advised the airline on May 24 to submit within a period of 30 days a comprehensive restructuring plan for a sustainable revival of operations, the source at theDGCA said
PremiumAviation regulator DGCA has asked crisis-hit Go First to submit a comprehensive plan for the revival of its operations, a source said to news agency PTI on Thursday. The budget carrier, which is undergoing a voluntary insolvency resolution process, stopped flying from the third of this month
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) advised the airline on May 24 to submit within a period of 30 days a comprehensive restructuring plan for a sustainable revival of operations, the source at the regulator said.
A senior DGCA official informed to news agency ANI that Go First has submitted their response to a show cause notice, issued on May 8, wherein they have requested that they may be allowed to use the moratorium period to prepare a comprehensive restructuring plan for restarting operations and present the same to DGCA for the requisite regulatory approvals before restarting operations.
Further, the watchdog has asked the airline to furnish the status of availability of operational aircraft, pilots and other personnel, maintenance arrangements and funding, among other details, the source added.
The source said the revival plan, once submitted by Go First, will be reviewed by DGCA for further appropriate action. DGCA will conduct an audit of Go First's preparedness before approving the resumption of flights, the crisis-hit airline's head of operations has told its staff.
Cash-strapped Go First stopped flying on May 3 and is undergoing voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings.
To a query on the resumption of flights by Go First, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday said, "We have not received anything from Go First yet... when we do receive (the plan for restarting flights), the DGCA will certainly apply its mind, look at the safety protocols and based on that take a decision".
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of industry body CII's annual session in the national capital.
Meanwhile, the airline's communication to the staff also said the CEO has assured that salaries for April will be credited to their accounts before the commencement of operations.
"Further, from the coming month, the salary will be paid in the 1st week of every month," it added.
On May 8, DGCA issued a show cause notice to the budget carrier under the relevant provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, for its failure to continue the operation of the service in a safe, efficient and reliable manner. The airline has submitted its reply to the show cause notice.
Go First, on May 2, announced filing the plea for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings as well as suspension of flights, initially for two days -- May 3 and 4.
At that time also, DGCA had issued a show cause notice to Go First for cancelling flights for May 3 and 4 "without any prior intimation".
The airline has cancelled all its flights till May 26.
*With agency inputs
