500 Go First pilots jump ship amid deepening crisis: Report

In a damning blow to the beleaguered Go First airline, a recent report revealed that a staggering 500 out of its 600 pilots have jumped ship to other carriers.

The embattled airline, which has been grappling with a multitude of challenges, has been left reeling as it faces a severe shortage of experienced flight crew.

Since its suspension of operations in May, Go First has found itself entangled in a web of financial woes, with the airline reportedly failing to meet salary obligations to its employees.

This ongoing crisis has culminated in a mass exodus of pilots, cabin crew, and aircraft maintenance engineers, severely impacting the airline's operational capacity.

The report, released by CNBC TV18, has cast a grim shadow over Go First's prospects, revealing that the airline has seen a staggering loss of over 1,200 employees since July 10. This figure paints a bleak picture for the airline, which has witnessed a rapid decline in its workforce from 4,200 employees in July to a mere 3,000 at present.

Alarming projections suggest that this downward spiral is far from over. The report indicates that approximately 500 to 600 employees are currently in the process of quitting Go First, serving out their notice periods. This could potentially shrink the airline's employee count to as few as 2,500 by mid-September.

Despite these dire circumstances, Go First had sought to restart its operations in July, gaining approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The regulatory body laid out stringent conditions, including securing interim funding, for the airline to resume flights. Reportedly, banks have committed a sum of ₹450 crore to facilitate Go First's resurgence.

To salvage its future, Go First has extended the deadline for expressions of interest in its operations until September 8.

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