The eight Air Niugini pilots were terminated because of not turning up for work, resulting in many flights being interrupted, causing many passengers to be stranded in July, says CEO Simon Foo.
“You will recall that over two months ago from 13 July, 2016, Air Niugini experienced an unusual increase of national pilots reporting sick, and therefore unable to attend work,” Foo replied to Loop PNG questions.
“This stop work was called for to force the Prime Minister to step down from office. The stop work was not an industrial issue and began on 13 July, 2016.
“The sudden increase in number of national pilots reporting sick and not able to attend work from 13th to 20th July, 2016, affected Air Niugini flights.
“The airline customers were greatly affected during this period. Air Niugini experienced numerous flight delays and cancellations,” Foo told Loop PNG.
“Consequently, Air Niugini’s image and branding was severely tarnished, losing valued customers to the opposition airlines, both domestically and internationally, and incurring significant financial loss. Despite these challenges, Air Niugini continued to provide safe airline services to the travelling public.”
He added that pilots who reported sick were requested to consult the company doctor to verify their claims.
“Air Niugini Management, under the circumstances by way of due process and duty of care and to satisfy its safety requirements, had to carry out such process.
“In the two-month intervening period, Management has thoroughly reviewed and applied appropriate disciplinary measures to the employees concerned.
“This includes a variety of measures ranging from suspension, reinstatement and termination as per the terms and conditions of employment.”
Caption: File picture of stranded passengers at Nadzab Airport in July in Lae.