Management of Bristow Helicopters has laid off more than 100 pilots and engineers due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations.
This comes on the second day of the industrial strike action embarked upon by its workers under the aegis of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) who were demanding equitable salary remuneration.
According to a statement by the company, the decision was based on the severe impact of COVID-19, which it said continues to have adverse effects on its operations.
Describing it actions as ‘painful’, Bristol Helicopters said it has engaged NAAPE to negotiate a fair and equitable redundancy compensation for those affected.
The statement partly reads,
The spread of the COVID-19 virus has severely impacted all sectors in the aviation industry including our market, which primarily serves the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
In addition, the ongoing downturn in the global oil and gas market continues to influence and determine the demand for our services.
The combined effects of these ‘arisings’ has resulted in very significant reductions to our business particularly a reduction in the number of contracted aircraft in Nigeria.
As a result, the company must now restructure all aspects of its business model (both Rotary & Fixed Wing), including an extensive review of its operations and we continue to drive efficiencies, but with zero compromise to safety and our core values.
It added;
One of these measures includes the right sizing of the business to ensure that the company has the optimal level of personnel to continue the safe delivery of its services to its clients, whilst allowing the appropriate capacity for future growth.
Accordingly, and with much regret, the company has taken the very difficult decision to release over 100 pilots and engineers (both National and Expatriates) over the next couple of weeks.
This decision has not been made lightly, but having considered the state of the business and the very serious constraints caused by the spread of the COVID-19 disease and the downturn in the oil and gas market, the company must now take this painful, but decisive step to ensure the continuity of its business and delivery of essential services to its clients.
This is also coming barely 24 hours after Air Peace sacked scores of pilots across its fleet and slashed staff salaries by up to 40 percent, as a result of the COVID-19 economic crisis.
