In the letter, dated May 15, the FIP appeals to the aviation ministry to intervene as Go First is not providing the necessary paperwork for pilots wishing to resign. Neither Go First nor the ministry have yet responded to inquiries.
Go First was granted bankruptcy protection last week. However, many of its pilots have been seeking new job opportunities in light of the crisis. In early May, a large number of them attended walk-in interviews organized by competitor Air India at a hotel.
However, an Indian government regulation from 2017 requires pilots to serve a one-year notice period and co-pilots six months. This rule is intended to prevent sudden departures that could lead to last-minute flight cancellations and travel disruptions.
The FIP stated that the typical global notice period is one month and suggested that India should permit pilots from financially troubled airlines to resign immediately.
The FIP's letter also stated that the restriction on Go First pilots is likely to create "an atmosphere of anxiety and stress amongst pilots" and could send a negative message.
This dispute with pilots is the latest in a series of challenges for Go First. The airline is also embroiled in a legal dispute with airline leasing companies regarding the bankruptcy proceedings, which are preventing lessors from reclaiming their planes from the airline.
Go First attributes its financial difficulties to a lack of engine supplies from Pratt & Whitney, a claim that the U.S. company denies as baseless.
In March, Go First won an arbitration order requiring Pratt to supply spare engines and is currently seeking to enforce it in a Delaware court.
