Ghana International Airlines has laid off one hundred and forty staff. It follows a review of the Airline’s financial standing and operations by the Board of Directors.

A press statement signed and issued on Wednesday July 28, by the Board Chairman Albert Botchway said the affected employees are to stay home while the Airline discusses their fate with the Union.

The statement said only a small number of staff is necessary to keep the Company running especially as it seeks the assistance of government to repatriate and also refund payments to almost 9,000 ticket holders of the Airline.

 The statement noted that GIA has since its inception been unable to sustain its operations and continues to grapple with numerous operational challenges.

 The decision of the Board, it explains, is to avoid the present situation where workers are facing numerous challenges including delay in salary payments.

According to the Board, GIA currently does not need the one hundred and sixty personnel on its payroll because the Company is not fully operational and cannot pay the staff.

The Board said it is working out all the necessary processes including notifying the Chief Labour Officer and engaging with the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) on the welfare of the staff.