The central government has told Pratt & Whitney (PW) to supply engines so that the grounded planes of Go First are "up and running". According to a report by Bussines Standard, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday said that the grounding of Go First airline is "certainly something that is not a great thing for civil aviation" and the government has “impressed upon them (engine manufacturer) that we need to have our planes up and running.”
Scindia told reporters after an event of industry body FICCI, “We cannot have multiple planes of one engine manufacturer on the ground in India, which is the case today, unfortunately.”
Go First, the airline, ceased its flight operations starting from May 3, citing the grounding of nearly half of its fleet consisting of 54 aircraft due to delayed engine supply from Pratt & Whitney (PW). In addition, the BS report also noted that approximately 36 planes belonging to IndiGo, powered by PW engines, are currently grounded. It is worth noting that IndiGo has a fleet of around 140 planes equipped with PW engines.
The Civil Aviation Minister indicated that other airlines lack a sufficient number of planes to immediately fill the void left by Go First's exit and resume flights.
In response to inquiries about whether the government was seeking alternative airlines to bridge the void created by Go First's absence, Scindia confirmed that efforts were being made. However, he emphasized that the ability to fill this gap is constrained not solely by an airline's willingness to serve customers, but by the capacity limitations of their fleet.
Scindia further mentioned that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is awaiting Go First's plan regarding the resumption of flights, indicating that further decisions will be based on the airline's proposed course of action.
“We have very clearly said that we want a resumption of flights (by Go First) as soon as possible. They have to submit their plan to the DGCA. This plan will cover the number of planes, the number of routes. On the basis of this plan, the DGCA will decide how to take it forward,” Aviation Minister added.
He further said, “There are a number of engines (and planes) that are on the ground. As a minister, I cannot get into what the contractual issues are between one company and the other. But certainly, we have impressed upon them that we need to have our planes up and running.”
“This capacity issue is an international one. All major (aircraft and engine) manufacturers are facing supply chain issues. Our airlines have put huge bulk orders and we hope these planes will come as soon as possible,” Scindia said.
The report also noted that India signed the Cape Town Convention (CTC) and Protocol, an international treaty aimed at mitigating risks for aircraft lessors and financiers, in 2008. In 2018, India introduced a Bill to implement the CTC; however, it has not been approved by the Parliament. Currently, a new Bill is under development.
When questioned about the progress of this Bill, Scindia said that it is currently in the works. Once the Bill is prepared, it will be presented to the Cabinet first and subsequently to the Parliament for consideration.
Cash-strapped Go First stopped flying on May 3 and has extended the suspension of operations till May 26. The airline's plea for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10. Some aircraft lessors have moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the NCLT's decision. The appellate tribunal is scheduled to deliver its judgment on the lessors' petitions on May 22.