United Nigeria Airlines Grounds Three Aircraft in 48 Hours After Repeated Bird Strikes, Raises Safety Alarm

United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed a fresh bird strike incident involving one of its Embraer 190 aircraft, further intensifying operational disruptions after three separate aircraft were grounded within 48 hours due to similar occurrences.
The latest incident occurred during the take-off of Flight UN0561 from Benin City Airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, scheduled for 16:20 hours on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
According to the airline, the aircraft struck birds shortly after take-off, resulting in damage to the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) door linkage. The affected aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service in line with aviation safety protocols for technical inspection and maintenance.
The development marks the third bird strike incident involving United Nigeria Airlines’ operating aircraft within two days, bringing the total number of recorded bird strikes affecting the airline in 2026 to seven.
Operational Disruptions Deepen
In a statement issued by the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, mnipr, United Nigeria Airlines described the repeated incidents as “extremely concerning and unacceptable,” noting that they have begun to significantly affect operational reliability and flight schedules.
The airline explained that while bird strikes occur across the aviation industry, it only formally reports cases that result in aircraft damage and grounding—an indication that the actual number of encounters may be higher.
“With strict adherence to our uncompromising safety standards, all affected aircraft are immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo thorough technical evaluation and necessary repairs before returning to service,” the statement noted.
The growing frequency of incidents has raised concerns within the airline, particularly as multiple aircraft remain grounded simultaneously, creating scheduling pressures and service disruptions for passengers.
Passengers Affected as Airline Issues Apology
United Nigeria Airlines expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by the repeated bird strike incidents.
The airline assured affected customers that efforts are underway to minimize operational delays, re-accommodate passengers, and restore normal flight schedules as quickly as possible.
“We sincerely apologize to our valued passengers for any inconvenience caused. Safety remains our highest priority, and we are working diligently to ensure minimal disruption to services,” the airline stated.
Call for Urgent Airport Wildlife Control Measures
The airline has also called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently strengthen wildlife hazard management systems across major airports in the country.
It warned that the recurring nature of bird strikes presents a growing operational risk that must be addressed through improved airport environmental control measures, particularly around runway safety zones.
Aviation stakeholders have long identified bird strikes as a persistent challenge in Nigerian airspace, often linked to inadequate waste management, open water sources, and wildlife attraction near airport environments.
Growing Safety and Operational Concerns
The latest incident adds to a series of disruptions affecting airline operations in 2026, raising broader concerns about aviation safety infrastructure and preventive wildlife management across Nigerian airports.
Industry observers note that while aircraft systems are designed to withstand certain levels of bird impact, repeated occurrences within a short timeframe place significant strain on fleet availability, maintenance cycles, and airline scheduling efficiency.
As investigations and inspections continue on the affected aircraft, attention is now shifting toward coordinated action between airlines, airport authorities, and aviation regulators to reduce the frequency of such incidents.
United Nigeria Airlines has grounded three aircraft within 48 hours following repeated bird strikes, raising total incidents to seven in 2026 and calling on FAAN to strengthen airport wildlife control measures amid growing safety concerns.