Go First’s current crisis has affected its future operations, with the airline having to issue refunds to customers and canceling bookings for future flights. The carrier was also awarded special Hajj flights by the Indian government this yr, but how things at the moment are, those have now been reallocated to other airlines.
Hajj flights reallocated
With no immediate signs of flight resumption for Go First, the airline’s Hajj flights this yr have now gone to other carriers. Based on the Press Trust of India, Go First was given Hajj flights to be operated out of 10 Indian cities.
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But as uncertainty looms over the resumption of its operations, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to reallocate these to IndiGo, Saudia, and flyadeal. Flights to Hajj will start in May and proceed until July.
Special flights
Yearly, the Ministry of Civil Aviation invites tenders from airlines in India and Saudi Arabia for Hajj charter flights from several stations in India to Jeddah/Medina and back to the respective stations.
Based on officials, this yr, there are 22 embarkation points chosen, of which 10 were allotted to Go First. SpiceJet was given 4 points, Saudia two, while Air India, Air India Express, and Vistara were also given two each.
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These special Haj flights cater to the high volume of traffic to Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage. The Central Haj Committee of India works tirelessly to make all of the essential arrangements yearly for a smooth traveling experience for the pilgrims.
The last couple of years had an impact on Hajj travel as a consequence of the COVID situation. SpiceJet operated greater than 35 Hajj flights in 2022, carrying 1000’s of passengers for the special trip. Air India, which can also be operating these flights this yr, has previously made arrangements for Hajj passengers, including exclusive pre-boarding facilities and special meals, each on the bottom and in-flight.
Crisis mode
From a bankruptcy filing that surprised many to getting relief from authorities to its employees leaving for other airlines, Go First’s previous few days have been like a rollercoaster ride. The airline has been granted a moratorium that may stop lessors from taking their planes back, creditors from asking for repayment of loans, and airports from taking away its slots.
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But one in every of the airline’s lessors, SMBC Aviation, has opposed the ruling, and plenty of fear that it’d shake the arrogance of lessors in Indian airlines. Whether this translates into high-risk premiums for other airlines in the longer term stays to be seen, but for now, all eyes are on Go First and its next move because it tries to aim a comeback.
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