Azman Air Halts Operations, Tells Staffs to Go on Leave Without Pay

The Nigerian aviation sector, Azman Air has announced the suspension of its operations, instructing all staff members to go on compulsory leave without pay.

This decision, confirmed by the airline's Public Relations Officer, Nurudeen Aliyu, is attributed to ongoing maintenance work on their fleet.

Aliyu explained, "Two of our aircraft are in maintenance and three are due for C-checks. That's why we suspended our domestic operations. Our aircraft will be back in October."

He further added that the overhead costs were too heavy, prompting the management to temporarily halt the company's activities.

The suspension, which began on August 1st, 2023, affects nearly all employees, with only eight senior staff members exempted from the unpaid leave.

This was outlined in a circular signed by the Human Resources Manager, Magaji Mohammed Misau, dated August 3rd, 2023.

The circular stated, "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, and the MROS has given a longer time for completion.

All staff have been placed on leave without pay with effect from August 1st, 2023."

This move comes on the heels of previous disruptions faced by the airline, including flight cancellations and a suspension by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The NCAA had earlier cited safety concerns as the reason for suspending Azman Air's operations, adding another layer of complexity to the airline's current challenges.

The suspension is expected to last until October 2024, when the maintenance work on the aircraft is anticipated to be completed.

This period of inactivity raises concerns about the broader impact on the airline industry in Nigeria, particularly regarding regulatory challenges and operational sustainability.

For now, Azman Air's future remains uncertain, with many eyes on how the airline will navigate these turbulent times and resume its services later this year.