MUMBAI- The challenges for grounded airlines Go First and Jet Airways continue escalating as both airline’s IATA code were revoked due to their non-operational status.
The two-letter designator codes, G8 and 9W, which are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a global trade association of airlines, have been withdrawn for both carriers, reported Financial Express.
Go First, Jet Loses IATA Code
“The eligibility criteria for an IATA two-letter designator include the requirement that the airline must be actively operating,” stated the head of communications at IATA.
“Given that Go First suspended its commercial flight operations in early May 2023, it no longer fulfills the criteria for maintaining the IATA two-letter designator. The situation is analogous for the 9W designator,” he elaborated.
The withdrawal of these airline codes has the potential to disrupt ticketing, reservations, and baggage handling operations for these airlines. In addition to logos and taglines, these codes serve as a distinctive identity for airlines. Therefore their loss entails losing that uniqueness.
Furthermore, companies that have been assigned an IATA airline designator code utilize these codes for various purposes. This includes reservations, scheduling, timetables, telecommunications, ticketing, cargo documentation, legal matters, tariffs, and other commercial and traffic-related functions.
It’s important to note that the designator and numeric codes are temporarily blocked for 12 months. During this period, the airline can request the designator’s reinstatement if they meet the necessary requirements.
While Go First did not respond to queries by FE, a spokesperson from Jalan-Kalrock stated, “Jet Airways owns the 9W code. It is currently being preserved by IATA for future commercial operations. It will be released from preservation once flight operations resume.”
What’s the latest with Both Airlines?
The loss of its airline code is another setback for Go First. This development comes shortly after the airline’s recent announcement to extend the cancellation of all its flights until September 5.
It’s worth noting that September 2 marks the four-month milestone since Go First’s last flight before it sought bankruptcy protection.
The airline operated a fleet of 57 aircraft, including leased planes, before suspending all operations. Since then, it has faced significant challenges in resuming operations.
The prospect of Go First restarting operations appears grim, especially as one of its lessors, Jackson Square Aviation Ireland, has taken legal action to prevent Go First from using its leased aircraft for flight operations.
Meanwhile, Jalan-Kalrock (JKC), the successful bidder for full-service carrier Jet Airways, recently announced an investment of Rs 100 crore into the airline following a directive from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
JKC claims to have infused a total of Rs 250 crore into Jet Airways. Subsequently, an additional Rs 100 crore is required to be injected by September 30.
In August, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted a limited-period renewal of Jet Airways’ air operator’s certificate (AOC). This is set to expire on September 3, 2023.
Jet Airways suspended all flights in April 2019 due to financial difficulties and subsequently entered the corporate insolvency resolution process, with JKC emerging as the winning bidder two years later.
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