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regular-article-logo Monday, 20 May 2024

Crisis-hit airline Go First seeks Rs 400 crore additional funds from lenders

It is learned that the request from the no-frills carrier is likely to be accepted by lenders

Our Special Correspondent Mumbai Published 23.06.23, 04:54 AM
Representational image.

Representational image. File photo

Crisis-hit airline Go First, which is looking to resume operations with a fleet of little over two dozen aircraft, has sought up to Rs 400 crore as additional funds from its lenders.

It is learned that the request from the no-frills carrier is likely to be accepted by the lenders.

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However, a Reuters report said the airline is seeking between Rs 400 and Rs 600 crore from banks. The Central Bank of India, IDBI Bank, Bank of Baroda and Deutsche Bank are its creditors. Go First owes around Rs 6,521 crore to these lenders.

Earlier this month, the airline submitted a revival plan to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under which it has proposed to resume operations with a fleet of 26 aircraft — 22 for active operations and four in reserve — and 152 daily flights. Go First hopes to restart operations in July for which approval from the aviation regulator is also necessary.

Go First’s plea for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10. The airline has cancelled all flights till June 25 citing “operational reasons”.

The airline on its website said that while it has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations, it hopes to resume bookings shortly.

The absence of an airline from the skies amid rising travel has resulted in surging airfares which has drawn criticism from Opposition parties such as Congress.

Last Sunday, former finance minister P. Chidambaram took to Twitter asking why Air India is charging Rs 28,000 and Vistara charging 12,000 on the same day and on the same route.

“This is what a monopoly or a duopoly does,’’ he added.

Last week, the NCLT approved the decision of lenders of Go First to appoint Shailendra Ajmera as the Resolution Professional of the company.

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