CITIZENS COMPASS – Azman Air has shut down its operations in Nigeria citing lack of operating aircraft as its major reason.

The shutdown was said to be another blow to the aviation industry in the country. 

The company which has not been flying for sometime has now sent all staff with the exception of eight persons on compulsory leave without pay.

The latest development was announced in a memo issued by Magaji Misau, its Human Resource Manager.

In the memo titled: ‘Placement of Leave Without Pay,” the airline directed all of its staff to proceed on leave with an exception of an under listed eight names.

The memo read: “As you are aware, our domestic operations has 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 of completion.

“In view of the above, the management directed to write and communicate its decision that all staff have been placed on leave without pay with effect from August 1, 2023.

“Finally, you should be rest assured that you will be recalled to duty as soon as everything is put in place.”

Those exempted from the compulsory leave were Engr. Nuraddeen Aliyu; Engr. Zakaria Al-Najjar; Engr. Peter Abraham; Engr. Aliyu Suleiman Gambo; Engr. Thomas Foloronso; Usman Muhammad Sabo; Sabiu Sabo and Magaji Mohammed Misau.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) sometime in 2022 suspended Azman Air over its failure to renew its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) which expired in the first quarter of 2022.

The challenge for the airline has further been raised with the new regulation by the aviation authorities mandating all operating airlines in the country to have a minimum of six serviceable aircraft. No one can as such say when Azman will return following the decision to shut down operations for now.