GoAir to suspend some flights temporarily as aircraft, engines not available

Domestic airline GoAir will temporarily suspend some flights as Airbus and Pratt & Whitney have been failed to deliver aircraft and engines according to schedule.

The Wadia Group-owned airline said Airbus and Pratt & Whitney have informed GoAir of "their inability to deliver previously promised aircraft and engines through March 9, 2020, that are required to support our current growth."

Because of this reason, the airline will be temporarily suspending certain flights that are part of its network, schedule and open for sale.

GoAir, however, has not yet disclosed the specific flights that will be suspended for a temporary period. "We expect – with the support of Airbus and Pratt & Whitney – to reinstate these flights and operate at the earliest opportunity, the airline said.

"We would like to assure our customers and partners that our currently published schedule incorporates a conservative view of aircraft and engine deliveries as provided by Airbus and Pratt & Whitney to minimise, or eliminate, the need for flight cancellations in the future," the airline added.

GoAir reiterated that it is hopeful that it will receive 12-15 aircraft each year through the end of 2025.

Earlier in December, the airline had to cancel several flights because of a number of reasons, including delay in delivery of aircraft and engines.

"GoAir has placed an order of 144 Airbus A320neo aircraft and has experienced delivery delays during the month of November and December, adding to its operational challenges. During the same time, non-availability of Pratt & Whitney spare engines have also hampered the smooth functioning of the airline," the airline had said in December 2019.

While the airline has grown by 30 percent per annum in the past three years and expects a double-digit growth until 2025, it has witnessed unplanned grounding of aircraft over the last four weeks.

The airline's on-time performance also took a hit in December. After being the most punctual airline at four metro airports for the 14 consecutive months, the airline was replaced by IndiGo in December. GoAir was the fourth in line after AirAsia and Vistara in terms of punctuality in December.