Fresh concerns have emerged in the aviation sector after another aircraft belonging to United Nigeria Airlines was grounded following a bird strike incident in Abuja.
The development adds to a growing list of similar occurrences affecting the airline in recent months.
The latest incident happened on Wednesday when the aircraft, operating a scheduled flight from Port Harcourt, encountered a bird strike while landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service after the impact.
The airline confirmed the incident in an official statement released by its spokesperson, Chibuile Uloka. According to him, the affected aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 operating Flight UN0515, which was expected to land in Abuja at about 3:45 pm.
He explained that the bird strike occurred during landing and affected the nose section of the aircraft. However, he stressed that all necessary safety procedures were followed and there was no risk to passengers on board.
“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.
The airline said the aircraft has since been grounded to allow for detailed inspection and maintenance in line with standard aviation safety protocols. Engineers are expected to carry out comprehensive checks before the aircraft can return to operation.
The statement reads, “In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo thorough technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service.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.”
The airline also acknowledged that the repeated incidents could affect its operations, especially as more aircraft are taken out of service for checks. Passengers scheduled to travel in the coming days may face delays or cancellations.
Travellers have been advised to remain calm and cooperate with airline officials as efforts continue to manage the disruptions. The airline assured that support teams are already working to assist affected passengers and reduce inconvenience.
“Our team is working diligently to minimise disruptions and provide support to all affected travellers. We remain fully committed to ensuring the safety, comfort, and reliability our passengers expect from us,” the airline added.
The rising number of bird strike incidents has again raised questions about wildlife hazard management around Nigerian airports, particularly in Abuja.