Fan Blades, Escape Slides Among Parts Missing From Go First Jets: Lessor

In a non-public filing, the lessor submitted pictures to the court, listing missing parts from two Airbus A320 planes it inspected.


 Go First and many of its foreign lessors are locked in a legal dispute (Representational)

New Delhi: Critical components, such as fan blades and escape slides, are missing from at least two aircraft of the bankrupt Go First airline, according to the aircraft's lessor, ACG Aircraft Leasing of Ireland, which is attempting to recover the aircraft.

After the airline was granted bankruptcy protection in May, Go First and many of its international lessors became embroiled in a legal conflict that has lasted for months. Insolvency prevented the retrieval of more than 50 Airbus aircraft that were on the ground and frozen its assets.

The lessors have attempted to recover their planes in court, but have thus far been unsuccessful. They cited worries that parts would disappear and harm their assets. Lessors are only permitted to sometimes check Go First planes.

A person familiar with the case said on Saturday that the ACG is attempting to take back planes by pointing out that checks revealed parts were missing, but the court has not yet made a decision on the matter.

The ACG listed missing parts from two Airbus A320 aircraft it evaluated in a non-public filing dated July 28 that was examined by Reuters. It included images and other information.

These included the "side stick" used by the captain to pilot the aircraft, a tiller that aids in steering it when it is on the ground, "completely missing" engine fan blades, a partially missing toilet seat, and an escape slide that had been removed.

The petition makes no mention of who removed the parts or how they disappeared.

A request for comment was not answered by Go First, whose lessors also include Standard Chartered's Pembroke Aircraft Leasing, SMBC Aviation, and BOC Aviation. It has previously said that it intends to restart operations and raise investor money, but no funds have been raised.

The second-largest aircraft lessor in the world, SMBC, cautioned that India's decision to forbid leasing companies from returning Go jets will shock the market and cause a crisis of confidence.

Go attributes its financial difficulties on issues with engines made by Pratt & Whitney, which is owned by Raytheon. The charges are "without merit," according to the US engine manufacturer.




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