TBM Staff - Mumbai In a recent development, the Delhi High Court (HC) has raised concerns over Go First’s Resolution Professional (RP) for their alleged failure to maintain aircraft as per records. The court has given the RP until March 6 to decide whether to delegate aircraft maintenance responsibilities to a third-party facility or return it to the lessors. A warning of a possible contempt notice has been issued if no consensus is reached.
This issue stems from a contempt plea filed by lessor DAE (SY22) 13 Ireland Designated Activity Company last November against the RP, citing non-compliance with court orders to provide maintenance records. Ten out of fourteen lessors have supported this contempt plea.
The RP had previously informed the court that certain aircraft lessors, including SMBC Aviation Capital, Aviation Capital Group, Jackson Square Aviation, and EOS Aviation, proposed a third-party agency for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul/Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (MRO/CAMO) tasks. However, operational challenges, compounded by a lack of cash flows, have impeded the RP’s ability to retain technical professionals responsible for aircraft maintenance.
On February 13, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) extended Go First’s insolvency process by 60 days, following the RP’s statement that there is interest from potential parties looking to take over the grounded airline. This situation sheds light on the intricate financial and operational hurdles faced by Go First in its efforts to resolve its predicament.
