United Nigeria Airlines has grounded another aircraft following a bird strike on its Embraer 190, the third such incident involving the carrier in less than 48 hours and the seventh recorded in 2026.
The airline said the latest occurrence happened during the takeoff of Flight UN0561 from Benin City Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, scheduled for 16:20 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The bird strike damaged the nose landing gear (NLG) door linkage of the aircraft, forcing an immediate withdrawal from service.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson and Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, the company described the trend as “an extremely concerning and unacceptable pattern given its impact on safety and operational reliability.”
“Consistent with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations, as with previous incidents, to allow for detailed technical inspections and all necessary maintenance before returning to service,” the statement read.
United Nigeria Airlines explained that while its operating fleet has experienced multiple bird strike incidents, it only reports cases that result in aircraft being grounded due to damage. The carrier urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures across major airports to reduce the risk of such occurrences.
“We sincerely apologise to our valued passengers for any inconvenience to their travel plans resulting from service disruptions caused by multiple bird strikes,” the airline said. “We kindly ask for your understanding, as safety remains our highest priority. Our team is working diligently to minimise disruptions and provide support to all affected travellers.”
The incident follows the grounding of a CRJ-900 aircraft on Tuesday after a bird strike during the landing of Flight UN0579 from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, to Abuja. That flight was scheduled for 18:15 p.m. and was also withdrawn for comprehensive technical inspections and maintenance in line with safety standards. The disruptions have affected several flights across the airline’s network.
Bird strikes remain a significant challenge for airlines operating in Nigeria, with operators repeatedly calling for improved wildlife control, habitat management, and runway monitoring at major airports. Aviation safety experts note that while bird strikes are a global issue, the frequency of damaging incidents raises questions about airport environment management and the need for stronger collaboration between airlines and airport authorities.
The recent surge in grounded aircraft comes amid broader concerns in the sector, including the rising cost of Jet A1 fuel. Airline operators have warned that the combined effect of operational disruptions and fuel price hikes could severely impact flight schedules and the wider economy if not addressed.
United Nigeria Airlines said it will continue to prioritise safety and will return affected aircraft to service only after all technical requirements are met.
