Following the February takeover of Arik Air by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria and subsequent scaling down of operations, there has been palpable fear that some staff of the airline could lose their jobs.

Nigeria's Daily News had last week reported that a source within the airline, said that the airline’s over 2,000 workforce may be reviewed downwards as a result of dwindling revenue.

However, Arik Air, through its media consultant, Simon Tumba, denied the media speculations, saying that the airline did not plan to dismiss its workers, but was rather working to put 5 more aircraft back in service.

“We have hired KPMG to audit the airline and prepare a report, and the number of staff the airline has will be included in the report. So, the airline is not downsizing; there is going to be a complete audit and until that is completed, we cannot talk about sacking,” he said.

After AMCON takeover, Arik scaled down its domestic and regional operations, while suspending international flights. Arik used to operate 120 daily flights at peak periods but now operates about 15 daily flights using only 8 aircraft out of possible 28.

AMCON had on February 9 taken over the management of Arik Air over mounting debts which according to it (AMCON) was more than N300 billion.