United Nigeria Airlines Hits Sixth Bird Strike in 2026, Grounds Airbus A320 After Abuja Landing Incident

A fresh wave of concern has hit Nigeria’s aviation sector after United Nigeria Airlines confirmed yet another bird strike involving one of its aircraft, marking the sixth such incident in 2026 alone and prompting further operational disruptions across its network.
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, when the airline’s Airbus A320-200 operating Flight UN0515 from Port Harcourt International Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport encountered a bird strike during landing at approximately 15:45 hours. The impact affected the nose section of the aircraft.
Although the aircraft landed safely without injuries to passengers or crew, the damage was significant enough to warrant immediate withdrawal from service for detailed technical inspection and maintenance checks in line with international aviation safety standards.
In a statement issued by the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Chibuke Aloke, the carrier described the repeated occurrences as deeply troubling, stressing that aviation safety remains its highest priority.
The airline noted that this latest event brings the total number of bird strike incidents involving its fleet to six within the year, a pattern it described as unacceptable and increasingly disruptive to operations.
Two Aircraft Grounded Within 24 Hours
The development has also compounded operational pressure on the airline, as it confirmed that two aircraft have now been grounded within 24 hours due to bird strike-related inspections and repairs. This has triggered a ripple effect across its domestic flight schedule, with potential delays, rescheduling, and cancellations expected in the short term.
Passengers have been advised to expect disruptions as the airline works to stabilise operations while prioritising safety compliance and aircraft airworthiness certification before returning affected planes to service.
Growing Aviation Safety Concern
The recurring nature of bird strikes has once again brought attention to wildlife hazard management around Nigerian airports. Aviation safety stakeholders have long warned that bird activity near flight paths—especially during takeoff and landing phases—remains a persistent risk to aircraft operations.
Industry observers say the situation calls for stronger coordination between airlines, airport authorities, and regulatory bodies to improve environmental control measures, enhance runway surveillance systems, and deploy more advanced bird deterrent technologies.
While bird strikes are a known global aviation risk, the frequency reported by United Nigeria Airlines in 2026 has raised fresh questions about localised mitigation strategies and enforcement effectiveness at major airports.
Operational Assurance
Despite the disruption, United Nigeria Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strict safety protocols, stating that no aircraft will return to service until it has undergone a full technical evaluation and clearance.
The airline emphasised that passenger safety will continue to guide all operational decisions as it works to minimise inconvenience and restore normal flight schedules.
As investigations and inspections continue, the incident adds to growing calls for a more robust national approach to wildlife hazard management in aviation infrastructure across Nigeria.
United Nigeria Airlines confirms its sixth bird strike of 2026 after an Airbus A320-200 was damaged during landing at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, leading to aircraft grounding and flight disruptions across its network.
United Nigeria Airlines reports its sixth bird strike in 2026 after an Airbus A320-200 was hit during landing in Abuja, grounding aircraft and disrupting flight operations across its network.