One of the many challenges in front of Go First these days is to bring back the confidence among employees about the company's future. While the budget carrier had a breather after receiving bankruptcy protection, recent reports of its pilots getting offer letters from other airlines have also surfaced.

Airlines wooing Go First pilots

Given the scale of growth projected in Indian aviation, airlines are perpetually looking for experienced cockpit and cabin crew. Go First’s current troubles have made hundreds of its pilots try their luck with other airlines, despite the carrier suggesting that it plans to restart operations in the near future.

Go First Airbus A320
Photo: John1107 | Shutterstock

A senior airline executive told Mint that Air India has made offers to more than 200 offers in the first three days of its recent recruitment drive. Many are presumed to be Go First pilots. They have also reportedly been offered salaries at par with Air India pilots for similar experience.

The report also says that IndiGo and Akasa are also vying for the same pool of pilots and have stepped up recruitment drives. IndiGo, in particular, stands to gain as it also operates the same aircraft type as Go First – the Airbus A320. The report quotes a Go First pilot as saying,

“Airline officials were asking pilots to reconsider their plans to exit the airline and are asking them to wait 1-2 months before taking such a step. Most pilots are already serious about leaving the company as soon as they get good offers as April salaries still haven’t come and they have monthly dues and family expenses to take care of.”

Go First Airbus A320neo
Photo: Skycolors/Shutterstock

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Go Firsts asks employees to wait

Meanwhile, Go First is in talks with the government to discuss plans for flight resumption. After the airline received bankruptcy protection, the airline’s CEO, Kaushik Khona, said that they can now take a decision on the revival of the airline.

Khona had earlier also told Go First pilots in a meeting that they will be paid by the 15th of the month, including for the days that the carrier is grounded. He also added that they will not be released before they serve a six-month notice period.

Breather

Go First was staring at its aircraft being repossessed and airport slots cancelled a few days ago as it suspended operations. But the Principal Bench of India’s National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the carrier's application for bankruptcy protection on May 10th, restraining lessors from terminating aircraft leases and airports from cancelling its slots.

Go First Airbus A320
Photo: Skycolors | Shutterstock

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The path to Go First’s recovery is still unclear, but it’s crucial for the airline to retain its employees for it to have a chance for a successful comeback.

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Sources: Mint, The Economic Times