India’s aviation regulator to audit Go First for service restart: internal memo

THE Indian aviation regulator will conduct an audit of cash-strapped carrier Go First’s preparedness to restart its operations, the company said on Tuesday (May 23) night in an internal memo.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will conduct the audit in the coming days, with operations commencing following the regulator’s approval, Rajit Ranjan, vice-president of flight operations, told employees.

As part of preparations to recommence operations, employees will be required to undertake a four-hour refresher on the airline’s monsoon operations, among other items, according to the memo seen by Reuters.

“You are requested to be available for flying so that the relaunch is smooth and we start flying as soon as possible,” it said.

Reuters could not immediately reach Go First chairman Varun Berry for comment.

The memo came after an appeals tribunal upheld insolvency proceedings against Go First, which the company describes as a “landmark decision”, making it harder for the airline’s lessors who are attempting to take back their planes.

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Go First CEO Kaushik Khona assured that employees’ April salary would be credited ahead of resuming operations, said the memo.

The airline has blamed its financial woes on problems with engines from Raytheon-owned Pratt & Whitney, but has highlighted the Indian government’s support in resolving the issues. REUTERS