India may not be opening its international borders until February next year. However, recently rebranded Go First intends to make the most of domestic passengers as the lean season approaches. Part booking campaign, part vaccination incentive program, the budget carrier is offering customers a 20% discount if they can show proof that they are fully vaccinated.

Valid for domestic fares two weeks on

The airline industry as we know it is very much dependent on free mobility within countries and across borders. As such, it makes sense that operators want to incentivize vaccination uptake and get things back to, if not 'normal', then at least to something resembling regular air traffic.

We have seen various campaigns throughout the pandemic to help nudge the traveling public along to get the jab. For instance, United Airlines offered free tickets for a year in its 'Your Shot to Fly' campaign earlier this year. Now, India's ultra-low-cost carrier Go First is offering its fully vaccinated customers a 20% discount.

The airline is calling the new scheme 'GOVACCI'. It is available to passengers located in India and who are double vaccinated at the time of booking domestic flight tickets. Flights must be at least two weeks ahead in time from the date of booking.

Passengers must then present their COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, or in the Aarogya Setu mobile app at the check-in counter at the airport.

The offer is only valid when booking straight through the airline's own website or mobile app. Customers should then enter the promo code 'GOVACCI' in order to receive the discount.

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Who is Go First?

Go First was previously known as GoAir, and was founded in 2005. It is based in Mumbai, Maharastra, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wadia Group. It began operations with a single aircraft to four destinations.

Less than ten years later, it had grown to become the fifth-largest carrier in India, although this still put it behind contemporary budget carriers SpiceJet and IndiGo. However, in a recent turn of recovery events, Go First overtook both SpiceJet and Vistara to claim third place.

The airline was rebranded as Go First in May this year in preparation for an upcoming IPO. The purpose was, according to statements released at the time “to fully embrace the ultra-low-cost airline model” and gain an advantage over its peers.

Due to a pending inquiry against Bombay Dyeing Manufacturing Company and the Wadia Group, the IPO was put on hold. It only opened on December 8th, after regulators had given the go-ahead.

Before the pandemic hit, GoAir operated over 330 daily flights to 36 destinations, including nine international. Go First has an all-Airbus fleet, currently consisting of 59 aircraft. Seven of these are A320-200s, and 52 are A320neos. Furthermore, the airline has outstanding orders for as many as 92 of the latter.