United Nigeria Airlines grounds aircraft after fifth bird strike in 2026

Operations of United Nigeria Airlines have suffered another disruption after a bird strike forced the grounding of one of its aircraft, marking the fifth such incident involving the airline in 2026.

The airline said the latest incident involved a CRJ-900 aircraft that encountered a bird strike while landing in Abuja on Flight UN0579 from Kano.

According to a statement made available by the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, the flight had departed the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport en route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when the incident occurred.

The airline confirmed that the aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service in line with aviation safety procedures.

“In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo comprehensive technical inspections and any required maintenance before being returned to service,” the statement said.

The disruption is expected to affect scheduled operations across the airline’s network, though the carrier assured passengers that safety remains the top priority.

“Consequently, some flights across our network may not operate as scheduled; however, safety remains our highest priority. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers’ travel plans,” it added.

While acknowledging that this is the fifth bird strike incident involving its fleet this year, the airline maintained that all previous cases were handled in line with aviation safety standards and regulatory procedures.

“Each occurrence has been managed in full compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures,” the statement read.

The airline further reassured the travelling public of its commitment to safe and reliable operations, pledging continued efforts to strengthen safety measures and minimise disruptions.

“We appreciate the understanding of our valued passengers and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational reliability,” it said.