Air Peace Reconsiders, Recalls Sacked Pilots as FG intervenes

Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

The management of Air Peace Airlines has reconsidered its earlier decision to sack about 70 pilots following the intervention of the Federal.

The recall of some of the sacked pilots was agreed upon after a meeting convened by Sentaor Hadi SIrika, minister of aviation, between the airline’s management and the leadership of the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

James Odaudu, spokesperson of the ministry in a statement said, “In the verbal agreement reached after a dialogue that was held in a very friendly environment, chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema acceded to the minister’s appeal for the recall of the maximum number of pilots that the airline can accommodate without going under.

“Onyema expressed his sadness and disappointment over what he called the ingratitude of some of the airline’s pilots, after everything done to make them comfortable on their jobs.”

Onyeama was quoted to have said, Air Peace had trained over 80 pilots and aircraft engineers, offering sector best pay package to its staff only for them to show lack of understanding at a time it was most needed.

He, however, extolled Sirika for his leadership style and pledged cooperation in ensuring the growth of the aviation sector in Nigeria.

In their submission. Chairman of NAAPE, Galadima Abednego agreed that some missteps could have been made in the course of the standoff between the airline and the union. He appealed to the minister to intervene.

He decried the pain of the union in seeing its member thrown into the labour market, and urged employers to see their members as partners and not foes.

Sirika in his remarks urged understanding of everyone, especially the labour unions as regards the prevailing situation in the aviation industry, saying it was not the time for unnecessary upheavals.

He commended Chief Onyema for his enormous contributions in developing the industry, but appealed to him to recall the maximum number of the sacked pilots that the airline can comfortably accommodate in the prevailing circumstances to which airline operator agreed.

He called on all stakeholders in the aviation industry to unite in ensuring a rapid recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Leadership

This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

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