Go First cleared for take-off as DGCA approves flight resumption plan

• DGCA accepts Go First's proposal, subject to certain limitations, and accepts the airline's restart plan, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.
• The DGCA's approval offers optimism for the resurrection of cash-strapped Go First
•  The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which oversees aviation, has approved Go First's proposal to restart operations, but with a few restrictions.

The suggested restart plan from June 28 has been accepted by the DGCA after careful consideration, according to a notification released on Friday, pending the resolution of writ petitions before the Delhi High Court and National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). According to certain terms, the airline "as a going concern" may start operating flights.

Go First may begin flight operations, according to the DGCA, provided that it satisfies all legal requirements for obtaining an air operator certificate. Additionally, the airline is responsible for maintaining the "airworthiness" of all of its participating aircraft.

The DGCA directive states that "scheduled flight operations can be initiated only after the availability of the required interim funding and approval of flight schedule by DGCA."

Before deploying any aircraft for operations, the airline must complete a successful handling flight, according to the aviation regulator. Additionally, the DGCA must be informed right away of any alterations to the business that can have an impact on the resolution professional's resuming plan.

Due to financial issues, the cash-strapped airline announced on Thursday that it would cease all operations through July 23, 2023. This happened after the DGCA looked at Go First's flight resumption strategy during a special examination. The DGCA shared 13 observations on the airline's plan to resume operations after the audit.

Go First's resolution professional (RP) Shailendra Ajmera reacted to the DGCA's concern about the pilot shortage on July 15 by presenting the airline's revised plan to resume operations with 15 aircraft and operate 114 daily flights.

He added that when they were successful in "stabilising operations" and hiring more pilots, the airline would progressively expand the number of flights.

Go First blamed the grounding of half of its Airbus A320neo aircraft on the faulty engines produced by Pratt & Whitney after declaring voluntary bankruptcy on May 2. Since May 3, the airline has not been operating.

There is increased optimism for the airline's rebirth following the DGCA's acceptance of Go First's proposed resuming plan, subject to certain restrictions and ongoing legal actions.