Go First senior management deserted, sales head latest executive to quit

The grounded carrier Go First may take a few months to return to the skies if the resolution plan submitted by either of the two bidders is approved. Most of its workforce, including senior management, has already left the airline over time, sources told CNBC-TV18.

Sources indicate that the successful resolution applicant will need at least 1,000 people, including licensed staff such as pilots with currency, to recommence operations with a fleet of up to 10 aircraft.

While most of the senior management, including Kaushik Khona – who was at the helm when operations ceased, and bankruptcy proceedings were initiated – left Go First last year, Head of Sales Rakesh Tiwari exited last week to join regional carrier Star Air, as per sources.

Currently, only two vice presidents (legal and in-flight services), along with heads of the IOCC and customer services, remain in the senior management, along with a handful of junior staff, sources say. The entire mid-management reportedly left the airline in tranches last year, as per sources.

In an interview, they say that the task of resuming operations in the event of successful resolutions will not be easier as everyone has already left work in the company and it is going to take at least three months to put the entire system in place before taking the airlines to the start again.

As the entire fleet of commanders has also departed from the grounded carrier, those who will be inducted will need to be current on their flight training, which will take its own time.

Go First has not flown since May 3 last year when it decided to voluntarily file for bankruptcy proceedings and after that, it became a nightmare for them.

After initially failing to attract any suitor, Go First received two bids for its acquisition on February 26. SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh and Busy Bee Airways promoter Nishant Pitti submitted a joint bid in their personal capacity, while the other bid is from Jaideep Mirchandani-owned Sky One Airways.

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