By Adesoba Toluwalope
Nigeria’s largest commercial airline, Arik Air, has laid off 300 workers.
This was made known on Friday, December 4, in a statement signed by Arik’s manager for Public Relations and Communications, Adebanji Ola.
Recall that the airline amongst others had shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, 300 workers have been laid off today Friday. The airline stated that this action was due to the aftermath of the coronavirus.
According to the airline, a dismissal program would be provided to staff concerned.
The airline explained that the pandemic had limited its ability to carry out heavy maintenance activities and get its planes back into operation.
The Company cited the reduction of avenue amid rising operation costs as another reason for the dismissal.
According to the statement, “The management of the affected unions have been contacted to negotiate a dismissal program for the staff concerned.”
It should be recalled that the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) had recently protested on against Arik Air for “poor working conditions”.
Arik Air added that more than 50 percent of its workforce of more than 1600 employees have been on leave in the past six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
