It reminds me of the situation SpiceJet was in back in the early 2010s. Go First, earlier known as GoAir, has grounded all its operations for May 3 and 4, 2023. [GoFirst has further cancelled flights till May 9, 2023]

[Update: Go First has filed for voluntary insolvency]

Go First grounds all operations on May 3/4, 2023

Go First is in a tough spot economically. The airline has been operating on cash and carry with the oil marketing companies, so it must pay for the fuel it consumes daily. Apart from that, the airline has been unable to operate a full schedule, partly because many of their aircraft are grounded because of Pratt and Whitney engines, which have had some troubles. Flying out of Delhi, you will see many of these aircraft on the ground in a corner at any time.

Now, Go First has decided to cancel all flights on May 3,4 and 5, 2023. This ought to be because the airline may not have enough cash to pay their bills for fuel. They have already intimated the Indian aviation regulator, DGCA, about the suspension of flights, per news reports.

Go First Airlines informed DGCA that all its flights will remain cancelled on 3rd and 4th of May: DGCA pic.twitter.com/tHvJt5zB6n

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

Booking a ticket on May 3 and 4 on the airline is impossible. Here are some random sectors where I tried booking a ticket where everything shows Sold Out. For May 5, while it is possible to book tickets, most sectors show Sold Out there as well.

Customer complaints have already started floating on social media.

Dear GO FIRST Flyer! Your booking ref:(F4CIPY) (03May'23), (G8-718) (AMD-DEL) is cancelled due to operational reasons. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused. @GoFirstairways saying they can't rebook as they won't be operational for next 3-4 days; I have connecting flights pic.twitter.com/CWQsil9CPp

— Shravan Gupta (@shrvngupta) May 2, 2023

@GoFirstairways I have flight tomorrow from Jaipur to Bangalore and today I received msg stating it’s cancelled. I’m trying to reach your customers care but the numbers are not reachable. Is it a joke going from your side? @DGCAIndia @JM_Scindia

— Rohit Gupta (@rhtgupta778) May 2, 2023

@GoFirstairways reply why all flights cancelled

— suhaib em (@em_suhaib) May 2, 2023

The airline has updated its website and stated that customer refunds will be made to the original payment source.

Bottomline

May is a tough month for airlines, anecdotally. Jet Airways was grounded in May 2019. Now this. GoFirst will be grounding all their flights from 3-5 May 2023. The airline claims that refunds will be made to the original payment source. And this could be, unfortunately, the start of a death spiral, although, of course, we hope they survive and thrive. [Go First filed for voluntary insolvency, the story follows]

What do you make of GoFirst’s cancellation of flights for two days?

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