The Management of Air Peace has said that some of the pilots in its establishment have been laid off to ensure the survival of the airline.
The airline said the decision was taken as a result of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations and financial health.
A statement made available to africanbusinesstravel.com.ng by the airline said the decision was taken to rescue the airline from total collapse and security existing jobs.
The statement read:
“The Management of Air Peace wishes to state that it has taken a very painful but rightful decision, in the circumstances the airline has found itself as a result of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations and financial health, to terminate the employment of some of its pilots.
“This decision was taken for the greater good of the company and its almost 3000 workforce, the affected pilots inclusive. The airline cannot afford to toe the path of being unable to continue to fulfill its financial obligations to its staff, external vendors, aviation agencies, maintenance organisations, insurance companies, banks and other creditors hence the decision to restructure its entire operations with a view to surviving the times.”
Noting that the Air Peace is not the first in the world to take such decision to rescue their situation from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, said the management of the airline has decided to review the salaries to all staff.
“The pandemic has hit every airline worldwide so badly that it has become very impossible for airlines to remain afloat without carrying out internal restructuring of their costs. Anything short of what we have done may lead to the collapse of an airline as could be seen in some places worldwide during this period. Therefore, we decided to review the salaries being paid to all staff. The new salaries reflect a 0%-40% cut of the former salary depending on the salary grades of every staff. Even after the cuts, it was obvious that for us to be able to sustain our operations and survive the times, some jobs must inevitably have to go,” said the airline.
The statement further said that the airline has given the sacked pilots the opportunity to return to its employment when the situation improves.
“When everything comes back to normal those pilots affected today will have a place to come back to in future if they so wish,” the management said.
