Arik Air sacks 300 workers, blames coronavirus

Arik Air has sacked 300 of its workers.

The airline said the action was due to the adverse effect of coronavirus.

The statement on the sack was titled, “Arik Air management declares 300 staff redundant”.

It assured that a redundancy package would be provided for the affected staff.

Arik Air explained that the pandemic has constrained its ability to complete heavy maintenance activities and return its planes to operations.

The company also cited stunted revenues amid increasing operational costs.

“The leadership of the impacted unions has been contacted to negotiate a redundancy package for the affected staff”, the statement read.

Arik Air added that over 50 percent of its workforce of over 1,600 staff has been on furlough in the past six months.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) protested against Arik Air on Thursday over “poor working conditions”.