News India Two Go First flights diverted, landed at Surat airport

Two Go First flights diverted, landed at Surat airport

According to reports, all the passengers are still on the aircraft. The cause of the landing is not clear, Surat Airport Director Rupesh Kumar said.

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Two Go First flights - one from Srinagar to Mumbai and another from Delhi to Mumbai - were diverted and landed at Surat airport between 6:30 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday.

According to reports, all the passengers are still on the aircraft.

The cause of the landing is not clear, Surat Airport Director Rupesh Kumar said.

Go First in funds crisis, suspends all scheduled flights on May 3, 4 

Earlier in the day, Go First Airlines announced that it will suspend all scheduled flights on May 3 and 4 temporarily as it was facing a funds crisis.

The company said that more than half of its fleet was grounded due to the non-supply of engines from a US firm. It termed the decision as unfortunate but said it was necessary to safeguard the interests of the airline.

DGCA had issued a show cause notice to Go First after the airline abruptly cancelled fresh bookings for May 3 to 4.

An official said that the DGCA recently became aware that Go First has cancelled all its scheduled flights on May 3 and 4 without providing any prior notification to the regulatory authority.

This act of sudden cancellation by the airline is considered to be a violation of the conditions of approval for scheduling, according to the aviation watchdog.

While the carrier has suspended flights for May 3 and 4, it has also stopped taking bookings for the next two days.

Aviation Minister reacts on Go First

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has described the development as unfortunate.

"Go First has been faced with critical supply chain issues with regard to its engines. The government has been assisting the airline in every possible manner. The issue has also been taken up with the stakeholders involved. Yet, it is unfortunate that this operational bottleneck has dealt a blow to the airline's financial position," Scindia said.

He added that the government is aware that the airline has filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

"It is prudent to wait for the judicial process to run its course. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a notice to the airline on the sudden suspension of flights. It's incumbent upon the airline to make alternative travel arrangements for the passengers so that the inconvenience is minimal," the minister said.

(With inputs from IANS)

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