The protesters expressed dismay over the layoffs, accusing the airline management of lacking empathy. On Tuesday in Lagos, over 100 terminated Dana Air employees picketed the airline’s head office over alleged unpaid salaries and outstanding pensions, among other issues. The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Expatriates not paid for three months”; “Pension deductions not remitted since 2008”; “Say No to tyranny”; and “7 aircraft, only one serviceable,” among others.
“I have been working with the airline since 2008 and participated in the demo flight that secured their Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Despite the challenges, I and others remained dedicated, even when salaries were not paid. We stayed committed until the runway incident on April 23,” one protester said.
“It is normal for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit the airline, but suddenly, we received WhatsApp messages informing us that our services were no longer required. The Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani, should address us. We want our gratuities, along with our April salary and one month’s pay in lieu of notice.”
Another protester, Eze Chidi, a former Aviation Security (AVSEC) Supervisor, condemned the airline management’s actions, describing them as unjustified. Chidi called on the Federal Government to intervene in what he described as victimization, enslavement, exploitation, and unaccountable management practices.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dana Air management officials were unreachable for comments.
NAN also reported that on April 24, the NCAA suspended Dana Air’s AOC following a runway skid of its MD-82 aircraft with registration number 5N-BKI on April 23. The suspension was to allow the NCAA to conduct a comprehensive audit of the company. On May 11, the airline announced that some employees had been “temporarily disengaged” due to the ongoing audit.