26 July 2024
India's biggest conglomerate and largest airline are in talks to take Airbus SE planes from Go Airlines India Ltd. after the carrier filed for insolvency protection and was ordered to stop selling tickets.
Tata Group and IndiGo are holding separate negotiations with Go Air's lessors, as well as discussing landing and parking slots with airport operators, including in New Delhi and Mumbai, according to people familiar with the matter. Go Air's lessors are seeking to repossess 36 aircraft, filings with India's aviation regulator show.
Several other parties have also expressed interest in the airport slots, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are confidential. New carrier Akasa Air is among them, one of the people said.
The clamor for Go Air's assets may complicate its bid to restructure debt and restart operations. India's aviation regulator told the carrier to stop selling tickets on Monday, reminiscent of when fugitive billionaire Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. was ordered to do the same about a decade ago. It never flew again. A decision is due in two weeks on whether Go Air can keep its operating license.
