Go First

Go First was founded as GoAir on 4 November 2005 by Jeh Wadia, son of Indian industrialist Nusli Wadia. The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wadia Group.[12] GoAir commenced its operations using an Airbus A320 aircraft and operated its inaugural flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on 4 November 2005.[12] The airline initially operated with a single aircraft to four destinations including Goa and Coimbatore with plans to induct 36 aircraft by 2008.[13] In March 2008, the airline announced revised plans to operate 11 aircraft and service new destinations in North East and South India by the end of the year.[14] Increasing fuel prices forced Go First to cut down the existing number of flights in June 2008.[15]

In January 2009, British Airways was interested in buying a stake in the airline.[16] In November 2009, GoAir entered into talks with Indian airline SpiceJet over a possible merger which ended in a no deal.[17]

In April 2012, GoAir became the fifth largest airline in India in terms of market share following the demise of Kingfisher Airlines.[18] In 2013, the airline appointed investment bank JP Morgan to scout for potential investors.[19] The airline's growth has been slow compared to other airlines established at the same time such as IndiGo and SpiceJet, which have larger market share, fleet size and destinations served as of 2016.[20]

According to the airline, it is a planned strategy due to the tough aviation environment in India and to focus on maintaining profitability rather than on capturing market share and increasing the destinations and fleet size.[21][22] As of February 2016, it was the fifth largest carrier in the country with an 8% market share.[23] The airline is planning for an initial public offering (IPO) in 2020.[24] The airline took delivery of its 20th aircraft in June 2016, making it eligible to operate international flights.[25]

GoAir became the sixth Indian domestic carrier to fly international when it launched its inaugural flight to Phuket from New Delhi on 11 October 2018.[26]

On 17 March 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, GoAir suspended its international flights.[27] On 13 May 2021, GoAir was rebranded as Go First.[28]

The airline was largely impacted by supply chain issues of Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines which power their A320neos. This eventually led to financial trouble and the airline was forced to cancel all its flights till 26 May due to a cash crunch and filed for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal in Delhi on 2 May 2023. It also sued Pratt & Whitney in a US federal court seeking to enforce an arbitral award directing supply of engines as contracted.[29][30]

Go First's bankruptcy plea was heard by the National Company Law Tribunal. The airline was seeking interim directions to continue functioning and requesting restrictions on any adverse regulatory action. However, the tribunal ruled that there is no provision for interim relief under the rules. Go First had to ground half of its fleet of Airbus A320neo planes, resulting in a loss of 108 billion rupees ($1.3 billion; £1 billion) in revenue and expenses. The airline accused Pratt & Whitney of non-compliance with an emergency arbitrator's order, including supplying "at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by 27 April 2023". Pratt & Whitney responded by stating that it was complying with the arbitration ruling. Go First's management confirmed that the insolvency proceedings were focused on reviving the airline and not selling it. Go First's CEO, Kaushik Khona, stated that the Wadia Group, have no plans to exit. Due to non-payment of rental dues, leasing companies have repossessed some of Go First's leased planes. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, Go First was scheduled to operate over 6,225 flights in May, equating to more than 1.1 million seats.[31]

Being a budget airline, Go First does not provide complimentary meals on its flights but offers options for buy on board in-flight meals.[34] The airline publishes an in-flight magazine named Go-getter.[35] Go First offers a premium service known as Go Business at a higher fare which provides extra services including seats with greater legroom, free meals, increased baggage allowance and priority boarding.[36] In 2011, the airline launched its frequent flyer programme called Go Club, which provided benefits such as lounge access and free upgrade to Go Business.[37] New membership was discontinued in February 2014.[38]

Go First was rated as the "Best Domestic Airline For Excellence in Quality and Efficient Service" by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association in 2008.[39] The airline was named the "Best Performing Airline" in Asia and Africa of all Airbus A320 operators by Airbus in 2011 based on fleet utilization and other performance metrics.[40]

Prior to ceasing operations, Go First operated an all Airbus A320 fleet:[44][45]

In June 2011, Go First placed an order for 72 Airbus A320neo aircraft worth ₹32,400 crore (US$4.1 billion). Deliveries began from 2016, with an induction rate of 12–15 aircraft per year.[46] In December 2015, Airbus intimated that the deliveries will be delayed by three months due to technical issues and the aircraft will be delivered by the second quarter of financial year 2015–16.[47] Go First received its first A320neo aircraft on 1 June 2016.[25]

In July 2016, Go First signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 72 Airbus A320neo aircraft valued at US$7.7 billion, potentially taking the total number of orders to 144. This deal was announced at Farnborough Airshow.[48]