Go First cancels more flights after DGCA seeks immediate halt in ticket sales
2 min read . Updated: 08 May 2023, 10:16 PM IST
PremiumGo First travellers were informed about fresh cancellations on Monday evening - mere hours after the GCA called for an immediate halt to ticket sales.
Cash-strapped Go First continued cancelling flights on Monday, with several travellers receiving the updates. The development came even as the DGCA directed the carrier to immediately stop bookings and sale of tickets till further orders. The airline had earlier suspended the sale of tickets till May 15 and has cancelled flights till May 12.
While the airline is yet to release an official confirmation about the newly cancelled flights, several passengers took to social media to flag the situation on Monday evening.
“Dear GO FIRST Flyer! Your booking is cancelled due to operational reasons. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused," read a text sent to this writer (for a May 18 flight).
While Go First had begun cancelling flights in increments from May 3, bookings for days after May 15 had continued in the meantime. On Monday the aviation regulator reportedly directed the airline to immediately halt ticket sales. It is not clear whether all bookings are being cancelled or only up to a certain date or time.
“Go First Airways, I got a message a few minutes back that my booking for the 14th May flight was cancelled," read another tweet shared at around 9 pm on Monday.
“@GoFirstairways @DGCAIndia my flight is cancelled by airlines and I am unable to reach out to customer care of Gofirst for refund. Please guide further," lamented another.
“I booked tickets for 4 persons for Pune-Delhi flight by GoFirst. I received a message today, saying that this flight is cancelled," said a third, noting that the refund details remained unclear.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that customers may face a delay in securing refunds. According to a Moneycontrol report quoting sources, Go First is likely to “ask the NCLT for a moratorium to raise money in order to provide refunds".
A Times of India article from Sunday however suggested that would-be passengers are receiving "credit notes" in lieu of a refund at the moment. Travel portals, one individual told the publication, insist that the refund would come only when the platform itself received an influx.
(With inputs from agencies)