Go First, formerly known as GoAir, was a low-cost airline based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Owned by the Indian corporate giant Wadia Group, it started functioning on 4 November 2005 and operated a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft in an all-economy configuration.
Go First Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Airline Name | Go First (formerly GoAir) |
| Type | Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Airline |
| Industry | Air Transportation / Aviation |
| Founded / Incorporated | 29 April 2004 (incorporation) |
| Founder / Owner | Jehangir Wadia / Wadia Group |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| First Flight Commenced | 4 November 2005 (Mumbai to Ahmedabad) |
| Rebranding | Renamed from GoAir to Go First in May 2021 |
| Core Services | Passenger air transport (domestic & international routes) |
| Fleet (Pre-suspension) | ~58–61 Airbus A320 family aircraft |
| Destinations Served | Domestic cities + select international destinations (e.g., Middle East, Southeast Asia) |
| Market Position | One of India’s key low-cost airlines with ~6.9% market share before suspension |
| Financial / Operational Stress | Filed for voluntary bankruptcy (NCLT) in May 2023 due to cash crunch & engine issues |
| Liquidation Status | NCLT ordered liquidation in Jan 2025, ending insolvency process |
| Employees | Thousands affected; aircraft repossessed by lessors post-bankruptcy |
| Major Issues | Engine supply problems with Pratt & Whitney engines led to groundings and financial losses |
| Refund / Passenger Impact | Booked passengers faced widespread cancellations and ongoing refund delays post-suspension |
| Potential Revival / Brand Sale | Reports of acquisition interest (Busy Bee / flydubai) for the brand & licenses |
| Official Website (Historic) | flygofirst.com |
Net Worth and Market Cap
According to Wikipedia, the most recent revenue was an increase of ₹4,553 crore.
Corporate leadership
Jehangir Wadia, the son of Indian businessman Nusli Wadia, created GoAir in 2005. The company’s chairman is Bhisham Bharadwaj.
Overview of Services
The Wadia Group launched Go First (formerly GoAir), an Indian low-cost airline with its headquarters in Mumbai, in 2004. It started operating in 2005. However, protracted operational challenges—including engine supply concerns and financial strain—led to a bankruptcy filing in May 2023 and eventual liquidation order by NCLT in early 2025, effectively halting its activities. Although the airline is still non-operational, there have been industry discussions around brand/licence acquisition options and the impact on passengers and creditors.
Scale of Operations
With a fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft, the airline dominated the Indian aviation market and operated both domestic and some foreign flights. It was positioned in the cheap class. Go First operates out of Bengaluru, Delhi, Kannur, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The Wadia Group’s aviation venture is called Go First. Last but not least, they owned 54 aircraft and operated more than 220 daily flights to 28 local and 10 overseas locations.
