Go First flights cancelled: Passengers from India to UAE impacted

Travel agents told Khaleej Times that many travellers who were to fly to the Emirates with the carrier are being rebooked on alternative flights

Sahim Salim

Published: Tue 2 May 2023, 6:25 PM

Last updated: Tue 2 May 2023, 11:43 PM

Passengers booked to fly with ultra-low-cost airline Go First between India and the UAE have been impacted as the carrier cancelled flights on May 3, 4 and 5.

The airline flies from multiple cities in India to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Travel agents in the UAE told Khaleej Times that many passengers who were to fly to the UAE with the carrier are being rebooked on alternative flights.

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In a message posted on its website, the airline confirmed that flights scheduled for May 3-5 were cancelled “due to operational reasons.”

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations. A full refund will be issued to the original mode of payment shortly,” the carrier said.

Go First “acknowledged” that the flight cancellations “might have disrupted travel plans”, saying it was committed to assisting the affected passengers.

At the time of writing this report, tickets are available for booking on the Go First website from May 6 onwards.

Infuriated passengers

Dubai resident Fahim Ammar, a businessman, booked the flight from Kannur to Dubai a few days ago. “Surprisingly, my travel agent called me today stating there has been a cancellation and the ticket should be postponed or preponed. But I had to reach Abu Dhabi on Thursday. I often flew on this airline as it had preferable departure and arrival times and the tickets are priced comparatively low,” said Ammar.

“My agent showed me the mail that my reservation on May 5 with flight number G8 53 to Abu Dhabi from Kannur has been cancelled.’ Now he has informed us to fly by another flight the next day,”

A group of friends from Honnavara in Karnataka had booked tickets for a May 3 Go First flight from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. However, while on their way to Mumbai on a train, they had to disembark in Goa and return home after receiving a ticket cancellation message on their mobile. “The flight was scheduled to depart at 8:40 PM on May 3, and we had planned to tour Dubai and visit various places,” said Toufeeq.

“Unfortunately, as recent college graduates, we cannot afford to purchase new flight tickets and must wait for a refund before booking another flight,” added Toufeeq.

Agents reschedule tickets

An agent based in Abu Dhabi said that he had many of his clients flying from Kannur and Mumbai and with no other options left, he has to "book their tickets on an alternative flight on the same day, on May 4.”

“It is so unfortunate and we have to make their travel pleasurable here, as their itinerary is scheduled. We have booked their hotels, tickets to attractions and other tourist spots in the country,” said the agent, adding that they wanted to spend the weekend in Abu Dhabi and Dubai before the Summer begins.

Taha Siddique, owner of Siddique Travels, said that he has booked nearly 10 seats for the next 3 days, but the flight status “is showing cancelled.”

“A few of my clients will wait for a refund as their travel is not compulsory. However, a few of them have to continue with their journey, by adding nearly Dh 200 to Dh 300 a ticket on a different airline."

Referring to the Indian airline as “cash-strapped”, a Reuters report said the carrier has filed for bankruptcy proceedings.

“The filing with the National Company Law Tribunal comes after Pratt & Whitney, the exclusive engine supplier for the airline's Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet, refused to comply with an order to release engines to the airline that would have allowed it return to full operations,” the report said, citing the company.

Go First’s social media feeds were flooded with angry messages from passengers. Many complained that their tickets were cancelled “at the last minute”. Others cited emergencies they had to tend to. To all queries, the airline said the flights were cancelled “due to unforeseen technical difficulties which are beyond our control”.

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