Go First lessors’ request to repossess planes on hold, not rejected: DGCA

India’s aviation watchdog DGCA has put on hold requests from lessors to repossess planes from airline Go First as the carrier’s bankruptcy process imposes a freeze on assets which supersedes such requests, it said in a court filing.

Go Airlines (India) Ltd filed for bankruptcy protection blaming “faulty” Pratt & Whitney engines for the grounding of about half its 54 Airbus A320neos. Pratt, part of Raytheon Technologies, says the claims are without evidence.

In granting protection, the Indian tribunal ordered a freeze on Go First’s assets even though some lessors had already terminated leases and placed requests with the aviation regulator to repossess more than 40 planes.