ACG Aircraft Leasing, the Irish lessor which owns some of the aircraft of the now-defunct Indian company Go First, has informed the court overseeing the company’s liquidation that several parts of their planes are missing. According to their submission, ACG aims to recover the aircraft while also raising the issue that they are unable to locate engine blades and escape slides from at least two of the airline’s planes.
Go First and many of its foreign lessors have been embroiled in a legal dispute for months. This issue arose after the airline received bankruptcy protection in May. This action froze its assets, hindering the repossession of over 50 Airbus planes that the company used to operate.
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As reported by Reuters, the lessors have thus far filed various petitions in Indian courts to reclaim their planes. These submissions, so far unsuccessful, indicate the potential disappearance of several high-value parts. Leasing companies are only permitted occasional inspections of their aircraft. ACG is striving to take back the planes back from Go First, emphasizing that their inspections revealed missing parts. Nevertheless, the court has not yet pronounced a verdict on this matter.
One of the filings with the Delhi High Court reveals that ACG noted missing parts from two Airbus A320s. These include the captain’s side stick, crucial for controlling the aircraft during flight. It has also emerged that the control for ground navigation, engine fan blades, a toilet seat, and an escape slide are among the missing components.
Other lessors for Go First include Pembroke Aircraft Leasing, SMBC Aviation, and BOC Aviation. At the outset of the crisis, SMBC warned that India’s decision to prevent leasing companies from repossessing their planes would shake the market and trigger a crisis of confidence.
