Repeated bird strikes force United Nigeria Airlines to ground three planes, prompting calls for improved airport safety measures.

Bird Strike Grounds Three United Nigeria Aircraft in Two Days
United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed that three of its aircraft have been grounded within the last 48 hours due to bird strikes.

This was disclosed by the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, in a statement issued on Friday, April 17, 2026.
According to Uloka, the latest incident involved an Embraer 190 aircraft that suffered a bird strike at Benin City Airport on Thursday. The aircraft, operating Flight UN0561 from Benin to Abuja, was withdrawn from service after sustaining damage to its Nose Landing Gear.
A bird strike refers to a collision between a bird and a moving aircraft, an occurrence that is most common during takeoff or landing at low altitudes. Such impacts can cause serious damage to aircraft components, including engines, windshields, and airframes.
Uloka noted that the Benin Airport incident marked the third bird strike in 48 hours and the seventh recorded by the airline since January 2026.
He expressed concern over the growing frequency of such incidents, describing the trend as both alarming and unacceptable, particularly due to its implications for safety.
He stated:
“While our operating aircraft have experienced multiple bird strike incidents, we report only those that have resulted in aircraft being grounded due to damaged part(s).
“We urge the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures across major airports to minimise the risk of such occurrences.
“We sincerely apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience to their travel plans resulting from service disruptions caused by multiple bird strikes.”
The airline reassured passengers of its commitment to safety despite the disruptions caused by the repeated incidents.