flydubai (FZ, Dubai International) and the entrepreneur behind investment vehicle Busy Bee Airways Pvt. Ltd have denied Indian media reports they are teaming up to try to revive defunct Go First (Mumbai International). Both parties independently rebutted the reports.
"No discussions with flydubai," Nishant Pitti, owner of travel app EaseMyTrip and Busy Bee, said on X. "This is an old story. We are sub judice at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and won’t decide until the process is clear. However, India needs more airlines, not fewer."
"India has always been a very important market for flydubai," a spokesperson for the airline told ch-aviation. "We continuously look for opportunities to grow our network organically in India. We are not currently in any discussions for ventures with other airlines. If this changes in the future, an official announcement will be made."
On February 17, business news site Moneycontrol reported that the parties were in talks with Go First's liquidator and lenders to acquire trademarks, domestic flying rights, and digital assets. The carrier no longer has any aircraft or an air operator's certificate. Earlier this year, India's National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved an application from the lenders and resolution professional to liquidate Go First after failing to sell the airline.
Since then, Pitti, has applied to the NCLAT to overturn the liquidation order, saying he wants to buy and revive Go First. Last year, Pitti teamed up with Ajay Singh, controlling shareholder of SpiceJet, to bid for Go First. However, Pitti quit the partnership after the Delhi High Court ordered the deregistration of its aircraft and their return to their owners.
Meanwhile, Pitti's solo venture to reverse the NCLT's liquidation order was mentioned before the Delhi bench of the NCLAT on February 19. The bench listed his appeal for hearing on February 24.
