Bristow Helicopters has terminated the appointment of 100 pilots and engineers. Those sacked comprised Nigerian nationals and expatriates in the employ of the aviation company.
The company said in a statement Tuesday that the decision to lay off the workers was due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline said its businesses have been adversely affected thus the decision to use the period to now restructure all aspects of its business model.
The statement read: “The spread of the Covid-19 virus has severely impacted all sectors in the aviation industry including our market, which primarily serves the Nigerian oil and gas sector. In addition, the ongoing downturn in the global oil and gas market continues to influence and determine the demand for our services.
“The combined effects of these crises resulted in very significant reductions to our business particularly a reduction in the number of contracted aircraft in Nigeria. As a result, the company must now restructure all aspects of its business model (both Rotary & Fixed Wing), including an extensive review of its operations and we continue to drive efficiencies, but with zero compromise to safety and our core values.
“One of these measures includes the right sizing of the business to ensure that the company has the optimal level of personnel to continue the safe delivery of its services to its clients, whilst allowing the appropriate capacity for future growth. Accordingly, and with much regret, the company has taken the very difficult decision to release over 100 pilots and engineers (both National and Expatriates) over the next couple of weeks.”
The statement from management added: “In compliance with the terms of employment, the affected individuals will be paid 3 months’ salary (excluding applicable deductions) following their exit from the company. The redundancy packages will be paid to them as soon as an agreement has been reached with NAAPE.
“This decision has not been made lightly, but having considered the state of the business and the very serious constraints caused by the spread of the Covid-19 disease and the downturn in the oil and gas market, the company must now take this painful, but decisive step to ensure the continuity of its business and delivery of essential services to its clients.”
Nigerian pilots and engineers in the employ of the company recently embarked on indefinite strike over alleged blatant discriminatory policies and consistent victimization of Nigerian workers and failure of management of the company to proffer solution to the problem.
Air Peace airline on Monday sacked over 70 of its pilots, citing COVID-19 crisis, which it said adversely affected its operations.