Govt will help 'unfortunate' Go First, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday expressed his disappointment with the operational issues related to engine supplies, which have adversely impacted the Go First's financial position.

The airline has already filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings, and the minister stated that it would be wise to wait for the judicial process to proceed.

He also said that the government 'has been assisting the airline in every possible manner' and has spoken to stakeholders.

"... unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position. It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course," he said.

Faced with a severe financial crunch, the cash-strapped airline Go First has also decided to cancel flights for May 3 and 4.

''Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to their engines. The Government of India has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved,'' Scindia said in a statement.

He noted that it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position.

''It has come to our knowledge that the airline has applied to the NCLT. It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course,'' he said.

Further, Scindia said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights.

It is incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for passengers, so that inconvenience is minimal, he added.

Earlier in the day, Go First chief executive officer Kaushik Khona told news agency PTI the cancellation of flights and the insolvency filing were an 'unfortunate decision' and that it 'had to be done to protect the interests of the company'.

"... facing a financial crunch due to non-supply of engines by Pratt & Whitney, which has forced the company to ground 28 planes, over half of its fleet."