AIR PEACE SACKS 70 PILOTS, OTHERS, BLAMES ACTION ON COVID-19
Juliet Uduji
In a bid to survive the pandemic, Air-Peace has sacked about 70 pilots and implemented pay cuts ranging from one per cent to 40 per cent in a move that terminated the employment of some of its pilots contracts across its fleet.
Stanley Olisa, Air-peace Spokesperson, stated that the Management of the Airline linked the disengagement of the pilots contract to the devastating impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the company did not mention the number of Pilots that were disengaged, sources have it that over 70 persons may have been involved.
The company Statement:
“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 fulfil 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.”
The statement also disclosed that salaries being paid to staff would be reviewed based on salary grades.
It said,
“We decided to review the salaries being paid to all staff. The new salaries reflect a 0 per cent to 40 per cent 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.”
The Airline added that the disengaged Staff would have a place in the airline when things return to normal if they want to.