FlightsImage Credit source: Symbolic picture
After the Go First crisis, it was being estimated that there would be less flights in the country. Concerned organizations, people and experts had predicted that the air fare would increase and people may have to face trouble. But the rest of the airlines of the country have taken this as an opportunity. Other airlines in the country, including Air India and Indigo, have started new flights to make up for the flights canceled by GoFirst during the peak summer season. Air India has increased the frequency on routes like Delhi-Srinagar and Delhi-Leh. Indigo has started flights connecting both the cities from Mumbai. Vistara has increased the Delhi-Mumbai flight frequency.
The Wadia Group’s GoFirst filed a voluntary insolvency petition on 3 May. The NCLT court has announced a moratorium on the assets of the low cost airline, which includes departure and arrival slots at the airport, giving the airline time till May 23 to take interim measures. GoFirst has announced the cancellation of all flights till May 23.
Air India made this announcement
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson told employees in a note on Friday that the airline plans to rapidly increase domestic flights to make up for shortfalls caused by reductions in flights by other airlines. Passengers’ troubles can be reduced. People aware of the matter said that the government has allotted slots to GoFirst, stating that they will lose money if the airport is not used.
Go First’s distributed slots
Keeping in mind the order of the National Company Law Tribunal, GoFirst will get back its slots after the flights resume. On the condition of anonymity, an official said that slots are a national resource, which if not used, it is not in the interests of both the airlines and the customers. So, the government has allotted them. These will be returned to GoFirst when the service resumes. He said that the government is also very concerned about the air fare hike.
Surviving Airfare Hikes
Air fares are already high this summer as compared to last season. The reason for this is the inability of the airlines to run at full capacity. In fact, due to disruption in the supply chain, there has been a reduction in aircraft deliveries. High frequency was seen in Go First mainly on vacations like Srinagar, Leh and Goa. According to Sirius data, GoFirst was to operate 199 flights from Delhi to Srinagar, 182 flights on the Delhi-Leh route and 156 flights from Mumbai to Goa in the month of May. The airline operates 6 out of 30 non-stop flights on Delhi-Srinagar and Mumbai-Goa routes, 6 out of 52 daily flights on Delhi-Mumbai, 5 out of 13 flights on Delhi-Leh and 10 flights on Delhi-Bagdogra route. Had to take 3 flights.
