United Nigeria Airlines is grappling with a spike in bird strike incidents after confirming a third occurrence within 48 hours, a development that has forced multiple aircraft out of service and disrupted its flight operations.
The latest incident involved an Embraer 190 aircraft operating Flight UN0561 from Benin City to Abuja, which suffered damage to its nose landing gear door linkage during take-off on April 16. The airline described the trend as deeply concerning, noting that the frequency of such incidents is beginning to pose significant operational and safety challenges.
According to the airline, the latest event brings the number of aircraft grounded due to bird strikes to three within two days, and seven since the start of 2026. In line with established safety protocols, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service to allow for detailed inspections and necessary maintenance before it can return to operation.
The airline emphasised that it only reports bird strikes that result in aircraft damage severe enough to require grounding, suggesting that the broader scale of wildlife-related encounters may be even higher. The recurring incidents have compounded operational disruptions, affecting schedules and passenger travel plans.
United Nigeria Airlines has called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to intensify wildlife hazard management measures across airports, stressing the urgent need to mitigate risks associated with bird activity around airfields.
While apologising to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the disruptions, the airline reaffirmed that safety remains its top priority, adding that efforts are ongoing to minimise the impact on travellers and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
