United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has recorded another bird strike involving one of its aircraft, marking the fifth such incident since January 2026 and raising fresh concerns about aviation safety hazards at Nigerian airports.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, said the latest incident occurred during the landing of flight UN0579, which operated from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to the statement, the CRJ-900 aircraft encountered the bird strike while approaching Abuja at about 18:15 hours.
“While this marks the fifth bird strike involving our aircraft since January 2026, each occurrence has been managed in full compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures.
“We appreciate the understanding of our valued passengers and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational reliability. We will continue to take all necessary measures to optimise our operations and exceed the expectations of our passengers,” the airline said.
In line with standard safety protocols, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for detailed technical inspections and necessary maintenance.
The airline noted that the temporary grounding of the aircraft could lead to disruptions across parts of its network, with some scheduled flights likely to be affected. It, however, reassured passengers that safety remains its top priority and expressed regret over the inconvenience.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers’ travel plans,” the statement added.
Bird strikes remain a persistent threat to flight operations in Nigeria, particularly during take-off and landing when aircraft are most vulnerable.
Over time, industry stakeholders have urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to strengthen wildlife hazard management at airports through improved habitat control and better coordination.
