Budget airline Go First has cancelled all flights for three days after filing for bankruptcy protection.

The airline blamed US engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, saying faulty engines had forced it to ground about half its fleet of Airbus A320neo planes, causing £1bn in lost revenue and expenses.

Go First accused Pratt & Whitney of not following an order by an emergency arbitrator to supply ‘at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by 27 April 2023’.

In response to Go First’s statement, Pratt & Whitney said it was ‘complying with the March 2023 arbitration ruling’ but added that it could not comment further due to legal proceedings.

Mumbai-based Go First, previously known as Go Air, is owned by Indian conglomerate Wadia Group.

Flights are grounded until 5 May, and the airline said passengers will be refunded.

Data analyst Cirium estimates the airline was due to operate 6,225 flights this month, carrying over a million passengers, mainly from Mumbai and Delhi.