Bristow to Sack 100 Pilots, Engineers Amid Strike

Embattled Helicopter company, Bristow Helicopter, on Tuesday announced its decision to sack 100 pilots and engineers in the next couple of weeks due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on all its operations.

The announcement was made a day after the company’s engineers and pilots embarked on strike following the failure of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers to reach an agreement with the management of Bristow Helicopter on labour matters.

In a statement released On Tuesday through Topcom, a public relations firm representing the company, Bristow said COVID-19 has affected all its business units, especially the Oil and Gas sector.

In the statement titled ‘Bristow Restructures Nigeria Operation,’ the Helicopter Company said downturn going on in the global oil and gas sector impacted the company’s ability to respond to Pilots and Enginers’ request for salary upgrade from N345 per US dollar exchange rate to N355/us$.

Bristow’s statement read “The combined effects of these ‘arisings’ have resulted in very significant reductions to our business particularly a reduction in the number of contracted aircraft in Nigeria.”

Due to these challenges, “Bristow has made the decision to restructure all aspects of its business model (both rotary and fixed wing), including an extensive review of its operation and will continue to drive efficiencies with zero compromise to safety and core value.”

While this might be another trick or strategy not to shift ground regarding the request of pilots and engineers that commenced strike on Monday after three-days warning, Bristow appears to be playing its card right. Capitalising on COVID-19 challenges, especially after Air Peace announced it would be letting go 70 pilots due to the same reason.