India’s grounded airline Go First is finding it increasingly difficult to make a comeback amid all the issues it faces – the biggest of which relates to its deteriorating relationship with aircraft lessors. The airline is locked in a legal battle with leasing companies regarding the upkeep and maintenance of their planes. And now, Go First believes that the all-consuming tussle with the lessors could significantly delay its flight resumption plans.
Lessors are worried
Go First’s aircraft lessors are unhappy with what they’ve found in their recent inspections of their planes. Last month, one of the lessors approached the court complaining that crucial parts were missing from at least two of its Airbus A320s.
Ireland-based ACG Aircraft Leasing said that its inspection revealed that the captain’s sidestick, a tiller that helps steer the aircraft on the ground, and an escape slide had been removed from the aircraft.
Photo: Soos Jozsef | Shutterstock
Then, earlier this month, another lessor – Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Capital – reported a “greenish deposit” on the body of its aircraft as well as corrosion and deterioration of various aircraft parts. This was similar to what BOC Aviation had found in its own inspection.
Naturally, these companies are worried about the state of their multi-million-dollar equipment and are locked in a legal battle with the airline over the possession and upkeep of these planes.
Go First is finding it challenging to resume operations
With so much on the plate for Go First, including fixing its finances to restart operations, the carrier believes the ongoing issues with its lessors could severely hamper its plans for a comeback.
Photo: Soos Jozsef / Shutterstock
Go First’s lessors have approached the courts seeking records of the parts that were found missing. A recent Reuters report says that Go First has told the court in its filing that if these requests are granted, it could prolong the airline’s wait to restart operations.
The report quotes the filings of Go First’s bankruptcy officer, Shailendra Ajmera, which said that these requests “have far reaching implications on the day-to-day affairs of Go Air and will have a direct bearing on the going concern status of Go Air.”
Ajmera added that obtaining these records would involve a lot of time and resources that could otherwise be spent on getting the airline ready for the resumption of flights.
Bumpy ride
Getting an airline up and running after bankruptcy was never going to be easy. With millions owed to stakeholders and passengers, Go First is trying hard to convince its financers of an eventual solution.
Photo: John1107 | Shutterstock
A continuous delay in restarting operations has also caused Go First to lose its airline code G8, which is needed by a carrier to sell tickets and handle baggage, among other things. It remains to be seen if the carrier’s team can find a solution to crawl out of its current set of problems.
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Source: Reuters