With the hope of airlines and other businesses in the Nigerian aviation industry dashed following the federal government announcement of a paltry sum of N4 billion as palliatives for the industry, the impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is gradually taking it toll on the operations of airlines.
On Sunday, the management of domestic carrier Azman Air disclosed that against its will, the airline is compelled to lay off some operational personnel just as the airline is also trying to return to full fledged flying capacity.
It emerged that six of its pilots alongside ground staff were relieved of their appointments, a situation the company reiterated became inevitable citing its present financial positions.
Managing Director of Azman Air, Faisal Abdulmunaf affirmed that “appointments of some of the staff were terminated due to reductions of our flights as a result of low demand because of COVID-19 impact.”
Stakeholders have continued to lament the federal government’s nonchalant response to the industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
While countries in Europe, America and Asia immediately rolled out plans to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their aviation industry, the Nigerian government is yet to offer any similar funds to the country’s airlines and other businesses affected by the pandemic.
In a message to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, President of the Aviation Round Table (ART), Dr. Gabriel Olowo bemoaned the N4 billion palliative approved for airlines by the federal government.
