Azman Air has temporarily suspended its operations due to unforeseen challenges surrounding its aircraft maintenance. The carrier, which also handled Hajj charters to Saudi Arabia, recently encountered difficulties that have led to disruptions in its flight schedules and services.
The airline’s Hajj charter operations concluded with the final flight from Jeddah to Kaduna, Nigeria, on July 31, using its A340-600 aircraft. However, Azman Air’s Boeing 737 fleet, consisting of five aircraft (two -300s and three -500s), is currently undergoing C-Checks at various Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, leading to longer-than-anticipated downtimes.
As a result of the maintenance-related challenges, the airline has taken the difficult step of suspending its operations and placing its staff, except for a small group of eight senior employees, on unpaid leave effective August 1, 2023, according to recent reports. The decision was communicated to the workforce through a memo dated August 3, titled “Placement of Leave Without Pay,” signed by Azman Air’s Human Resources Manager, Magaji Misau.
This is not the first instance of operational disruptions for Azman Air. In March 2021, the airline temporarily halted all flight services within Nigeria to comply with aviation regulations and enhance flight safety. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) endorsed this suspension, allowing for a thorough review of the airline’s operations.
Despite the current challenges, Azman Air’s management remains positive about the future. The airline’s Public Relations Officer, Nurudeen Allyu, expressed confidence that operations would resume once the maintenance of the Boeing 737 fleet is completed. He indicated that two of the aircraft are currently undergoing maintenance, while the remaining three are scheduled for C-Checks.