1. Introduction

Introduction

Established in 2005 by the Wadia Group, Go Air, later rebranded as Go First, entered the Indian aviation sector as a low-cost carrier, aiming to provide affordable air travel to the rapidly expanding middle class. The airline was built on a business model that focused on operational efficiency, a streamlined fleet, and competitive pricing. However, despite its early success, Go Air faced mounting financial difficulties that ultimately led to its insolvency.

Introduction

On November 07, 2024, the Supreme Court of India (“Court”) in its judgment in State Bank of India & Ors. vs. The Consortium of Mr. Murari Lal Jalan and Mr. Florian Fritsch & Anr.,^[1] directed the liquidation of Jet Airways (India) Limited (“Jet”), bringing an end to the five-year long saga of efforts to revive the beleaguered airline.

1. Introduction

With many airlines having weathered the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic, one common theme with airline restructurings has been a clear reliance on the United States’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings – particularly over their domestic jurisdictions or other viable jurisdictions (such as a UK scheme of arrangement or UK restructuring plan). But when seeking to restructure, why have many airlines tended towards Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings as an internationally recognised restructuring procedure and shied away from the UK schemes?

After a long and arduous litigation Jet Airways’ insolvency woes have finally reached a conclusion. At least that is the hope unless the litigation is taken to the Supreme Court. Having said that, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (“NCLAT”) in its decision dated 12.03.2024, in Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 129 & 130 of 2023, approved the transfer of ownership of Jet Airways to the Jalan Kalrock Consortium (“JKC”). This hopefully leads the path for the commencement of a new era for the airline.

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GoFirst’s insolvency has highlighted issues surrounding the insolvency resolution of commercial airlines. This article analyses the issues facing stakeholders, and the adequacy of extant regulations to address these.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs by notification dated 03 October 2023 (read here) exempted transactions, arrangements or agreements relating to aircraft, aircraft engines, airframes and helicopters under the Cape Town Convention and Protocol from the moratorium provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

On October 3, 2023, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (“MCA”) issued a notification exempting transactions, arrangements or agreements under the Cape Town Convention (as defined below), relating to aircraft, aircraft engines, airframes and helicopters from moratorium under Section 14(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”) (“Notification”).