(United Nigeria Airlines. Photo by. The Guardian Nigeria News)
United Nigeria Airlines is facing a major operational crisis after an Airbus A320-200 was grounded following a bird strike at Abuja airport on Wednesday. Another United Nigeria Airlines aircraft going from Port Harcourt to Abuja has been stopped due to a bird strike while landing.
The event was revealed in a statement released on Wednesday by the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuile Uloka. Earlier in the day, the airline reported a separate bird strike involving one of its CRJ-900 planes.
The latest development increases the airline’s total number of aircraft grounded due to similar accidents between January and April 2026 to six. Uloka said the latest incident involved an Airbus A320-200 aircraft operating Flight UN0515, which departed Port Harcourt and was scheduled to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 3:45 pm.
He added that the bird strike affected the nose section of the aircraft but assured all that safety protocols were strictly followed.
“United Nigeria Airlines regrets to inform our valued passengers and the general public of yet another bird strike involving one of our Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The incident occurred on landing and affected the nose section of the aircraft,” the statement read.
Regardless of the situation, the airline maintained that there was no compromise to passenger safety, noting that the aircraft has been grounded for comprehensive checks.
According to the statement, “In accordance with our stringent and unwavering safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo thorough technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service.
“This marks the sixth bird strike involving our aircraft so far in 2026. An occurrence we find deeply concerning and unacceptable due to its implications for aviation safety and operational stability.
“As a result, some flights across our network may experience disruptions or may not operate as scheduled. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and kindly ask for your understanding, as safety remains our top priority.”
While efforts are being made to handle the situation, travelers impacted by the inconveniences have been asked to exercise patience.
“Our staff is working hard to minimize interruptions and offer assistance to any impacted travelers. We continue to be totally dedicated to providing the security, comfort, and dependability that our customers need from us,” the airline continued.