United Nigeria Airlines grounded one of its Embraer 190 aircraft on Thursday, April 16, 2026, following a third bird strike in less than 48 hours. The incident occurred during the takeoff of Flight UN0561 from Benin City Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, resulting in damage to the nose landing gear (NLG) door linkage.
The airline, led by Chibuike Uloka, its Public Relations Officer, described the repeated incidents as “an extremely concerning and unacceptable pattern” impacting both safety and operational reliability. Following the latest incident, a total of three aircraft have been grounded due to bird strikes in under 72 hours, marking the seventh such event recorded throughout 2026. United Nigeria Airlines has a history of reporting only those bird strikes that have necessitated aircraft removal from service due to damage.
Recent Bird Strike Incidents
Prior to this latest event, United Nigeria Airlines had already grounded a CRJ-900 aircraft on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, after a bird strike during the landing of Flight UN0579 from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This earlier incident, scheduled for 18:15 p.m., also led to the immediate withdrawal of the aircraft for comprehensive technical inspections and maintenance, adhering to the airline’s stringent safety protocols. These disruptions have affected several flights across the airline’s network, causing inconvenience to passengers.
Call for Enhanced Wildlife Management
In a statement released by Chibuike Uloka, the airline urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to bolster wildlife hazard management measures at major airports across the country. The airline believes that strengthening these measures is crucial to mitigating the risk of future bird strikes and ensuring the safety of air travel. “We sincerely apologize to our valued passengers for any inconvenience to their travel plans resulting from service disruptions caused by multiple bird strikes,” the statement read. The airline emphasized that passenger safety remains its paramount priority and that a dedicated team is working to minimize disruptions and provide support to affected travelers.
FAAN Response and Other Airport Activity
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been actively addressing aviation safety concerns. Recently, FAAN Managing Director, Billy Odegbuchi, highlighted Nigeria’s importance as a key aviation and commercial hub in Africa. Furthermore, on the same day, an electric spark disrupted operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 3, requiring a temporary shutdown. Additionally, FAAN reported the arrest of four suspected bandits at Ondo Airport, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to maintain security across the nation’s airports.
Looking ahead, United Nigeria Airlines intends to continue operating its fleet while prioritizing safety. The airline anticipates a thorough inspection and maintenance process for the grounded aircraft before its return to service, reinforcing its commitment to adhering to the highest industry standards. The situation underscores the need for continued collaboration between the airline and FAAN to address the growing challenge of bird strikes and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
