This week marked two months since the last flight of Go FIRST. A lot of water has flown under the bridge and while the regulator DGCA audits the airline for readiness and the Resolution Professional works with the banks, the lessors continue their visits to the court for access and possession of the aircraft.
There are numerous articles doing the rounds talking about possibilities, from engine switch or this being a masterstroke on one side and the whole saga being a respectable way of getting out of the business on another.
The aviation industry has so much glamour, especially in India, that whenever the airfares rise – the media in general and social media in particular is up in arms against the fare hike. The same group also is up in arms when the airlines go down accusing the policies and bad management amongst other things. From Onions and Tomatoes to airlines, the prices are cyclical in nature and the focus always remains on making the most when it’s possible and sustaining when one is losing money.
As the week came to a close, the details of the Delhi HC order in Go FIRSTs case came out. The airline does not seem to be on the same strong footing as it was in June. Just when one thought if this marks the beginning of the end, the arbitrator in Singapore gave another interim judgement directing Pratt & Whitney to deliver 5 engines per month to Go FIRST, making one wonder if this is the beginning of a new era?
Having worked at Go FIRST (then Go Air) and been part of the period when the first turnaround took place and the order for the first lot of A320neo was placed, my heart says that the airline can make a comeback but the head still says that the heart was wrong twice in the past – in case of Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways. Will Go FIRST be the FIRST airline to defy history in Indian aviation? The heart says Yes but the head says No!
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