GoFirst, India's low-cost airline, had its flights grounded for nearly two days in June 2023 due to an inspection by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The inspection found that the airline was not complying with safety regulations.
The DGCA inspection was conducted on June 19 and 20, 2023. The inspection team found that GoFirst was not complying with safety regulations in a number of areas, including:
- Maintenance of aircraft
- Training of pilots and crew
- Operating procedures
The DGCA issued a show-cause notice to GoFirst on June 20, 2023. The notice gave the airline 10 days to respond and explain why its flights should not be grounded.
GoFirst responded to the show-cause notice on June 27, 2023. The airline said that it had taken steps to address the concerns raised by the DGCA.
The DGCA accepted GoFirst's response and allowed the airline to resume flights on June 28, 2023.
The grounding of GoFirst's flights was a major disruption for passengers. The airline had to cancel or delay hundreds of flights.
The grounding of GoFirst's flights also raised concerns about the safety of low-cost airlines in India. The DGCA has said that it will be conducting more inspections of low-cost airlines in the coming months.
The Impact of the Grounding
The grounding of GoFirst's flights had a significant impact on the airline's passengers. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed, and passengers were stranded at airports.
The grounding also had a financial impact on GoFirst. The airline lost revenue from canceled flights, and it had to pay compensation to passengers.
The grounding of GoFirst's flights also raised concerns about the safety of low-cost airlines in India. The DGCA has said that it will be conducting more inspections of low-cost airlines in the coming months.
The Future of GoFirst
It is too early to say what the long-term impact of the grounding will be on GoFirst. The airline has said that it is committed to safety, and it has taken steps to address the concerns raised by the DGCA.
However, the grounding has damaged GoFirst's reputation. The airline will need to work hard to regain the trust of passengers.
The grounding of GoFirst's flights is a reminder that safety is always the top priority. Airlines must comply with safety regulations, and passengers must be aware of their rights.
Tags
Business