Nigerian Airlines, Air Peace, has sacked up to 70 of its pilots while also implementing pay cuts for some others.

According to the statement released by its Public Relations Officer, Stanley Olisa, the higher-ups of the airlines attributed the development to the negative impact of the Coronavirus. Sources say that about 70 pilots were sacked, even though the statement does not officially enumerate the number of pilots released. The statement read:

"The management of Air Peace wishes to state that it has taken a very painful but rightful decision, in the circumstances the airline has found itself as a result of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations and financial health to terminate the employment of some of its pilots."

“This decision was taken for the greater good of the company and its almost 3000 workforce, the affected pilots inclusive.

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“The airline cannot afford to toe the path of being unable to continue to fulfill its financial obligations to its staff, external vendors, aviation agencies, maintenance organizations, insurance companies, banks and other creditors hence the decision to restructure its entire operations with a view to surviving the times,” the statement read.

The spokesperson also mentioned that the salaries of the employees left will now be reviewed thoroughly on a grade basis.

“We decided to review the salaries being paid to all staff. The new salaries reflect a 0 percent to 40 percent cut of the former salary depending on the salary grades of every staff.

“Even after the cuts, it was obvious that for us to be able to sustain our operations and survive the times, some jobs must inevitably have to go.”

The airline declared that the disenfranchised staff will always have a place in the company when everything goes back to normal if they wish to.