Arik Air sacks 300 staff members, claims economic hardship

Arik Air has on Friday sacked 300 of its staff members.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the airline’s Spokesperson, Adebanji Ola on Friday.

The statement said that it had to sack the staff members because of the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arik Air had earlier furloughed 50 per cent of its 1,600 staff in the past six months.

In September, aviation unions shut down the nationwide operations of Arik air over allegations that the airline denied staff salaries since April and also placed 90 per cent of its workforce on compulsory leave.

The workers have continued the protest on issues bothering on the Condition of Service till yesterday, Thursday.

The statement by Arik Air reads: 

“Arising from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the constrained ability of the airline to complete heavy maintenance activities and return its planes to operations, stunted revenues against increasing operational costs, the management of Arik Air (In Receivership) has declared 300 staff members redundant to its current level of operations.

The leadership of the impacted unions have been contacted to negotiate a redundancy package for the affected staff. It is important to note that over 50 percent of Arik Air’s workforce of over 1,600 staff have been on furlough in the past six months on a base allowance.

Decision to let go of staff is naturally a difficult decision. Arik Air wishes the impacted staff well in their future endeavours.

Adebanji Ola
Manager, PR & Communications.