…Threatens job cut, apologizes to passengers
As the picketing of Murtala Muhammed Domestic terminal Two (MMA2) by the aviation unions in the country enters second day today, an airline operating from the terminal, Dana Air claimed it has lost over N100 million to the crisis; just as it has threatened to rationalize its staff strength should the labour impasse continue.
.Dana Air which made its loses in the first day of the crisis known in a statement by its Media/ Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, has however apologised to its numerous passengers across the country who are affected by the picketing.
The airline which called for a quick resolution of the labour action between the two stakeholders in the industry, said such huge financial loss is unacceptable and disappointing in an industry where airlines are still grappling with a myriad of challenges.
“For now, we have lost over N100m to the ongoing action and losing such money in an industry where airlines are still grappling with a myriad of challenges is unacceptable and disappointing to say the least. We do not know how the situation will be in the coming days and we might have no other option that to downsize if the action stretches for too long”
Expressing concerns on the ability of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), where it has relocated since Wednesday when the picketing started, to cope with the enormous task of handling eight (8) airlines in a coincidence, the airline therefore apologised to its passengers who had their flights disrupted.
“Our worst fear however is, if the terminal will be able to process the number of passengers when there is a coincidence in flight schedule with over 8 airlines having to operate from the General Aviation Terminal at the moment.
“While we have been engaging our guests who are on our future flights seeing that the industrial action entered Day 2 today, we appeal to the parties involved to resolve the dispute in consideration of the passengers for whom we are all in the industry to serve. Without the passengers, there won’t be any airline, regulator or industry and we believe they shouldn’t suffer for what they did not contribute to.
“We wish to sincerely apologize to our teeming guests who missed their flights as a result of the dispute between aviation unions and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Ikeja Lagos state,” the airline said.
To ameliorate the suffering of its passengers, Dana Air explained that it has temporarily moved its operations to the GAT.
“While operating our first flight out of Lagos from MMA2, we made alternative arrangement and moved our operations temporarily to the General Aviation terminal (GAT). While we respect the rights of both parties to engage each other based on extant laws, we call on all concerned to intervene and save the industry from further crises,” said Dana Air adding that, “At the moment, MMA2 remains the terminal that provides guests the best in terms of facilitation and we wish to thank our guests for their constant support and understanding. We wish to also reassure our guests of our commitment to continue to offer the best of service at all times”.
