Go First Cancels Flights Until Tuesday, Regulator Issues “Refund” Order

NDTV News:

Cash-strapped low-cost carrier Go Firston Thursday announced it was cancelling all flights until Tuesday as the country’s aviation regulator asked it to refund passengers who were affected by its flight cancellations this week. The airline has also suspended the sale of tickets until May 15.

The airline, formerly known as GoAir, abruptly suspended its operations on Wednesday, a day after declaring insolvency, leaving many passengers stranded and frustrated at various airports across the country.

The move prompted a notice from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). “Go First has intimated that they have suspended sale of their flights till 15 May 2023 and are working to refund or reschedule for future dates, the passengers already booked to fly with them,” it said.

The watchdog also issued an order “directing them to process the refunds to passengers as per the timelines specifically stipulated in the relevant regulation”.

Due to operational reasons, Go First flights until 9th May 2023 are cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and request customers to visit https://t.co/qRNQ4oQjYT for more info. For any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact us. pic.twitter.com/mr3ak4lJjX— GO FIRST (@GoFirstairways) May 4, 2023

The country’s third-largest airline has blamed Pratt & Whitney’s “faulty” engines, which it uses on its Airbus 320 neo aircraft, for the collapse, amid fierce competition in the sector led by its largest rival IndiGo and Tata Group-owned Air India.

The airline said in a statement that it had to cancel flights due to “unforeseen operational issues” and that it was offering full refunds or rebooking options to the passengers.

But many passengers complained that they were not informed about the cancellations and had to pay exorbitant fares to book alternative flights with other airlines.

Priyanka Agrawal, a passenger who was supposed to fly from New Delhi to Patna on Wednesday, said she had to cancel her meetings and her return flight because of Go First’s abrupt decision.