DGCA is instructed by HC to de-register 54 GoAir planes
New Delhi: On Friday, the Delhi High Court granted relief to the lessors of 54 aircraft to GoAir, which has been grounded since May on several charges. The court ordered the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to de-register the aircraft within a maximum of five working days.
It has come to light that lessors are being courted by both Tata’s Air India and cash-cowling IndiGo to acquire around fifteen Airbus A320 family aircraft, which might be airworthy rather quickly, making the rebirth of GoAir under IBC an even more difficult undertaking.
The remaining aircraft will have to wait to get new engines and spare parts from Pratt & Whitney. IndiGo has been grounded for more than 75 flights since the company has been unable to deliver these items for many months.
According to sources, the group headed by Nishant Pitti, which also includes SpiceJet MD Ajay Singh (acting as an individual), would attempt to bargain with the lessors for the 15 airworthy aircraft as part of their quest to resurrect GoAir under the IBC. If the lessors do opt to retain their aircraft in India, it is unclear which consortium—AI/IndiGo or one with a SpiceJet connection—they would choose.
Judge Tara Vitasta Ganju of the Delhi High Court on Friday permitted lessors to do maintenance on the long-grounded aircraft until they are de-registered and exported in compliance with Indian law. The court said, “The petitioner lessors shall receive assistance and access to the airports from the respondent Airport Authority of India (AAI) and respondent DGCA.”
GoAir’s resolution professionals (RPs) and the airline are prohibited from entering, using, or accessing any of the aircraft. They are also prohibited from taking out or changing any spare parts, accessories, paperwork, or records from the aircraft.
“It is a big win for the lessors who have gotten no relief from NCLT, which had extended the moratorium (on Go assets) further on the asking of the RP,” said Nitin Sarin, managing partner of the aviation-focused legal firm Sarin & Co. Because they had ended the lease before the moratorium was approved, the lessors had contested the moratorium.
“Once we receive the official document, we will review the details of the order,” Nishant Pitti said on X. We are still committed to moving forward in a way that upholds the law and advances our strategic goals.
