Reasons Azman Air Shut Down Operations, Sends Staff On ‘Compulsory Leave’ Without Pay

Following the decision by Azman Air to shut down its operations and send its staff on compulsory leave without pay, more facts have emerged as to why the airline took the action.

Azman, owned by renowned businessman Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina after shutting down operations mandated its staff to proceed without pay.

The development, reports say, is now beginning to attract reactions from several quarters.

Established in 2012, the airline has a major operational base in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and it ranks among the top airlines in the country with a huge customer base.

Why Azman Air shuts down operations Nationwide

The management of the airline cited some issues as reasons for shutting down its operations. Some of the reasons are ongoing C-checks on its aircraft and the high cost of operations.

According to an explanation provided by the airline‘s spokesperson, Nurudden Aliyu, the airline‘s spokesperson, “The decision was made due to a number of factors, including the ongoing C-checks on its aircraft and the high cost of operations,”

“We have temporarily suspended the operation, and it was due to all our 737 we are using for domestic operation are due for C-checks,”.

What is C-Check?

C-check is the inspection, overhaul, repair, preservation, and replacement of parts of an aircraft, including preventive maintenance, identified as a full block C Check under the airframe manufacturer’s maintenance manuals and planning documents.

Explaining further, Aliyu revealed that the airline had already sent two of its aircraft to a maintenance facility in Turkey, but the process was delayed due to a queue in the maintenance hangar.

“The other two we are using here are also due for maintenance, and we are trying to send them for C-checks also. Also, one of the aircraft has achieved 90 per cent completion so we are expecting two of the aircraft to be back in Octoberfest,” Aliyu added.

“The overhead is heavy, so the management decided to put the company on hold.”

Azman Air Mandate Staff to Proceed on Leave Without Pay

On the compulsory leave, an internal memo by the airline which was titled “Placement of Leave Without Pay,” and issued to staff members and signed by the airline’s Human Resources Manager, Magaji Misau, the airline directed its staff to embark on leave without pay.

“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 have given a longer time of completion,” the memo reads.

“The management (has) directed to write and communicate its decision that all staff have been placed on leave without pay with effect from August 1, 2023.”

Only eight senior staff, according to the memo, are exempted from the compulsory leave.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had two years ago, suspended operations of all the Boeing 737 aircraft in the fleet of the airline following a series of incidents involving Azman Air Boeing 737 aircraft.