Nigerian airline, Azman Air, has announced a temporary suspension of its operations, directing all staff members to embark on a compulsory leave without pay. This decision, confirmed by the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Nurudeen Aliyu, was necessitated by the ongoing maintenance of its aircraft.
Aliyu explained that the airline’s fleet is currently undergoing significant maintenance, including two aircraft already in the process and three others due for a critical C-check. As a result, Azman Air has paused its domestic operations, with plans to resume services by October 2024.
“The overhead is heavy, so the management decided to put the company on hold,” Aliyu stated, highlighting the financial burden that led to the suspension.
In addition to the operational halt, a circular issued by the airline’s Human Resources Manager, Magaji Mohammed Misau, dated August 3, 2023, detailed the terms of the compulsory leave. Titled ‘Placement of Leave Without Pay,’ the circular specified that all staff, except eight senior members, are affected by this decision.
“As you are aware, our domestic operations have been put on hold for a while due to the conveyance of our aircraft for C-checks. The MROs have given a longer time for completion, and as a result, all staff have been placed on leave without pay effective from August 1, 2023,” the circular read.
Azman Air has assured its staff and customers that operations will recommence as soon as the maintenance is completed and the aircraft are deemed fit for service.
