A scheduled Air Peace flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt returned to base on Saturday after encountering multiple bird strikes during its approach to landing, prompting renewed scrutiny over persistent wildlife hazards at Nigerian airports.
The affected flight, P47190, was forced to abort its descent and return to Lagos for safety checks, in line with standard aviation protocols. The airline confirmed the incident in a statement issued by management, apologising to passengers for the resulting delays and disruptions across its network.
“Air Peace remains steadfast in upholding the highest safety standards. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the statement read.
While no injuries were reported, the incident has reignited industry-wide concerns over the frequency of bird strikes, particularly involving Air Peace aircraft, in Nigeria’s airspace.
Surge in Bird Strike Incidents
The Saturday occurrence marks the fifth reported bird strike involving Air Peace aircraft in 2025 alone. In March, a Lagos-Owerri flight was forced to return to base after a bird struck its left main landing gear. In February, three separate Air Peace aircraft suffered bird strike incidents in a single 24-hour period, grounding the affected planes for inspections.
On April 23, an Abuja-Lagos flight had to return to the ramp just before takeoff after a bird strike compromised the engine during taxiing.
These recurring incidents suggest a larger systemic issue. Industry experts warn that many Nigerian airports lack sufficient wildlife control mechanisms and modern bird detection technologies, allowing bird populations to flourish near runways.
Operational and Financial Toll
Bird strikes, while not uncommon globally, are particularly disruptive in Nigeria where airport wildlife management systems are often underfunded or poorly maintained.
In 2023, Air Peace reportedly recorded 18 bird strike incidents, including an engine failure on its Embraer E195-E2 jet that required $3.2 million in repairs. The financial and operational costs continue to mount as more incidents are logged.
Beyond airline maintenance burdens, passengers have faced recurring flight delays and cancellations, eroding trust in flight reliability.
Experts Urge Immediate Reform
Stakeholders across the aviation sector are calling for a coordinated response. Though the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has implemented routine wildlife control partially at some airports, critics say the current efforts are inadequate.
FAAN/Airport Authorities should Upgrade bird hazard management systems, implement radar-based detection, improve waste control.
Airlines (Air Peace, etc.) als should Continue open reporting, collaborate with FAAN on risk reduction strategies.
While the NCAA as a regulatory Body should Mandate standardized post-strike reporting, monitor compliance on wildlife hazard mitigation.
Aviation analysts say these interventions are urgently needed to prevent future incidents, ensure public confidence, and avoid potential aviation disasters.
A Broader Aviation Safety Challenge
For Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier and a key driver of regional air connectivity, the pattern of bird strike incidents not only threatens operational stability but also highlights deeper infrastructure deficiencies at the nation’s airports.
While the airline continues to respond with transparency and strict safety adherence, the problem underscores a need for collective national action.
Until comprehensive wildlife management becomes a non-negotiable part of airport operations, Nigerian carriers, and their passengers, remain vulnerable to these avoidable but costly risks.
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