United Nigeria Airlines on Wednesday reported another bird strike involving one of its aircraft, forcing the grounding of two planes within 24 hours and disrupting scheduled flight operations across its network.
In a statement, the airline said the latest incident occurred during the landing of its Airbus A320-200 aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on a flight from Port Harcourt.
“The incident occurred on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Port Harcourt International Airport, operating Flight UN0515… and affected the nose section of the aircraft,” the airline said.
The aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service for technical inspection and maintenance before any return to operation.
The airline described the development as “deeply concerning and unacceptable due to its implications for aviation safety and operational stability.”
The latest incident came less than 24 hours after a similar case involving another aircraft.
On Tuesday, April 14, the airline recorded a bird strike involving its CRJ-900 aircraft during the landing of Flight UN0579 from Kano to Abuja.
“In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo comprehensive technical inspections,” the airline said in an earlier advisory.
The airline disclosed that the Tuesday incident marked its fifth bird strike since January 2026, bringing the total to six following the latest occurrence.
With two aircraft now grounded within a 24-hour period, the disruptions have affected scheduled flight operations and led to possible delays and cancellations across its routes.
“As a result, some flights across our network may experience disruptions or may not operate as scheduled,” the airline said, adding that efforts were ongoing to reduce inconvenience to passengers.
While no injuries were reported, the repeated incidents have raised renewed concerns about bird strike risks and wildlife management at Nigerian airports.
Bird strikes, which occur mainly during takeoff and landing, can damage critical aircraft components including the nose, windscreen, and engines.
The airline apologised to passengers affected by the disruptions, assuring that safety remains its top priority.
“We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and kindly ask for your understanding, as safety remains our top priority,” it said.
The airline added that its technical teams were working to minimise disruptions and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
