DGCA asks Go First to issue prompt refunds after flight cancellations extended until May 9

Go First, a cash-strapped airline, suspended all of its flights until May 9, prolonging the operation's suspension by an additional four days. Also, new reservations won't be accepted by the Wadia group airline until May 15.

Go First announced that it was cancelling all of its flights up until May 9 owing to operational concerns, noting that the impacted passengers will receive a full refund. The airline has also been requested by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to handle reimbursements to customers in accordance with the regulations' time frames.

The financially troubled airline made the announcement on Tuesday that it would initiate voluntary insolvency procedures with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), blaming Pratt & Whitney (P&W) for its predicament. The airline claimed that it was "forced to apply to the NCLT" as a result of "the ever-increasing number of failing engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney's International Aero Engines" that caused the grounding of 25 aircraft, or half its fleet of Airbus A320neo flights, and severe financial strain.

Go First claimed that P&W, the sole engine supplier for A320neos, had broken contractual commitments and disregarded a Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) arbitration ruling. It said that its operations would have become "unviable" if engines failed more frequently during the following three to four months.

Flights were abruptly suspended by the airline for three days beginning on May 3, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to the company. After reviewing Go First's response, the watchdog issued an order "under the prevailing regulations directing them to process the refunds to passengers as per the timelines specifically stipulated in the relevant regulation", according to PTI.

In addition, the regulator stated that it is dedicated to minimising passenger annoyance in light of Go First's unexpected decision to halt scheduled operations without prior notice.

Go First announced separately that it has cancelled all flights through May 9 owing to operational issues.