Arik Air sacks pilots for embarking on strike

Arik Air has laid-off undisclosed number of its pilots for gross acts of indiscipline.

According to statement by the carrier, the affected pilots were fired for embarking on a strike without recourse to lay down procedures.

The airline said the pilots did not serve a notice for the strike in accordance with labour laws.

The statement reads: “They neither submitted any issue of dispute to the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), their umbrella union nor did they submit any statement of demands to the management of the company”.

The statement further added that, there was no ongoing discussions between the management and the pilots on any unresolved labour issues.

“Their actions were spontaneous and callous.

Arik Air finds it rather treacherous of the pilots to contemplate a strike at this Yuletide season which is the peak period for airlines all over the world. They peddle for naught the reputation and financial health of the company.

“It is instructive to note that the management of the airline has of late had very fruitful discussions with relevant aviation unions including the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), on conditions of service for all employees. This has led to the signing of a robust condition of service and redundancy benefits for staff.”

The airline said great efforts have been made to minimize the impact of the illegal strike forcing it to cancel some fully booked flights. “Arik Air regrets the inconvenience caused by this action and is doing everything in its powers to minimize the impact and discomfort to passengers.”

Meanwhile, passengers are experiencing difficulties in securing seats to some destinations at the domestic terminals of the Lagos Airport.

For the second day running airlines operating flights into Owerri, Anambra, Port-Harcourt, Asaba, Uyo, Calabar, and Enugu are operating at full capacity as many of them find it extremely difficult to cope with bookings.

Air Peace, Aero, United Nigeria and a few months envisaged the development as they acquired more aircraft to boost their fleet.

Air Peace in November signed an agreement with Latvia’s SmartLynx Airlines to wet-lease two Airbus A320s.

The carrier’s newly acquired Embraer 195 E2 and B737 aircraft were considered not adequate for the year- end surging traffic.

Just last week, United Nigeria Airlines acquired A320 aircraft to boost its fleet of aircraft and expand its operations.

Spokesman for the airline, Achillieus-Chud Uchegbu, said with the additional aircraft, the airline would boost its domestic operations and frequencies this December, adding that this would further make connections easier for air travelers.

Other airlines that equally acquired aircraft on a short-term basis are Ibom Air, Arik, and Aero Contractors.