GoAir has appointed Kaushik Khona as its new CEO. Khona will replace, industry veteran Vinay Dube who took charge as CEO in February this year.

"The Nominations & Remuneration Committee and the Board met today and have appointed Kaushik Khona as CEO with immediate effect," GoAir said.

 The company added, "Dube has ceased to be in the employment of GoAir with immediate effect and hence ceases to be the CEO." Prior to this, Dube was earlier the CEO of Jet Airways.

Khona brings with himself more than 32 years of corporate experience and all at the CXO level. He worked with the Wadia Group for almost 4 years from 2008 to 2011. He was the CEO of GoAir for two years, from April 2009. Khona was also Vice President, corporate finance, and strategist for the Wadia Group.

Khona has also helped turnaround several businesses at Dunlop tire group in diverse geographies in Germany, UK, and India.  He also successfully carried out extensive corporate restructuring for a Shipping Venture and a financial and business restructuring for a German - India joint venture in renewable energy.

Before joining GoAir for his latest assignment, he worked as a partner to MTalati & Talati LLP, a leading the consulting, business reengineering, and finance consulting practice at the firm.

This is the budget airline’s third change in two years. The change at the helm comes after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) put the airline on a cash and carry mode from 11 August. "The competent Authority has approved to put the operation of M/s Go Air on cash & carry basis out of all AAI Airports w.e.f. 0001 hrs. of 11th August 2020," the circular said. AAI earlier asked no-frill carrier GoAir to clear its unpaid dues of about ₹50 Cr. The past few months have been tough for GoAir as well just like every other airline. GoAir earlier laid off its ex-pat pilots, introduced leave without pay for its employees, and implemented a pay cut of up to 50% for its top leadership.

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