Go First seeks NCLT approval for ticket refunds

Go First, the cash-strapped airline that suspended operations on May 3, has taken a significant step towards providing relief to its affected passengers. The airline’s Resolution Professional (RP) has approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking permission to refund money to passengers whose tickets were cancelled after May 3, 2023.
The application, filed before the Delhi bench of NCLT, requests the permission “to permit the applicant/CD (corporate debtor) to make payment of refund to passengers of the CD whose airline tickets have been cancelled since May 3, 2023.” The hearing for this crucial matter is scheduled to take place on Monday, presided over by an NCLT bench comprising Mahendra Khandelwal and Rahul P Bhatnagar.
Go First had voluntarily initiated the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against itself after facing technical difficulties and non-availability of engines from Pratt & Whitney, leading to the suspension of its flights on May 3, 2023. The NCLT admitted Go First’s plea for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings on May 10.
Prior to approaching the NCLT, several air passengers had directly contacted the tribunal via emails and phone calls seeking refunds for their cancelled bookings.