BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
United Nigeria Airlines has reported yet another bird strike involving one of its Airbus A320-200 aircraft, which has deepened operational strain and amplifying safety concerns as incidents continue to mount across its fleet.
The latest occurrence happened on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, when Flight UN0515, arriving from Port Harcourt International Airport, sustained a bird strike while landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The aircraft, scheduled for a 15:45 arrival, was hit on its nose section—an impact that immediately prompted safety protocols.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Office, the airline did not downplay the growing pattern, describing the situation in stark terms that “this marks the sixth bird strike involving our aircraft so far in 2026, an occurrence we find deeply concerning and unacceptable due to its implications for aviation safety and operational stability.”
Following the incident, the affected aircraft was promptly withdrawn from service for “thorough technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service,” the airline said.
The grounding has compounded operational challenges, with two aircraft now out of service within a 24-hour window.
The ripple effects are already being felt across the airline’s network. United Nigeria Airlines warned that several flights may face delays or cancellations as it works to manage capacity constraints caused by the sudden reduction in available aircraft.
“We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and kindly ask for your understanding, as safety remains our top priority,” the airline stated, adding that its teams are actively working to support affected passengers and minimise disruption.
The latest strike underscores a worsening trend for the carrier, which has now recorded six bird strike incidents in just over three months, an unusually high frequency that is raising red flags within the aviation space.
Beyond the immediate cost of repairs and operational downtime, the incidents are also placing increased pressure on scheduling reliability and customer confidence.
Aviation stakeholders say such repeated encounters point to a broader systemic issue, particularly around wildlife hazard management at key airports.
The clustering of incidents in major hubs like Abuja suggests that existing bird control measures may be struggling to keep pace with environmental and operational realities.
Despite the challenges, United Nigeria Airlines reiterated its unwavering stance on safety, stressing that every incident has been handled in strict compliance with aviation regulations and internal safety standards.
“We remain fully committed to ensuring the safety, comfort, and reliability our passengers expect from us,” the statement added.
As investigations continue and affected aircraft undergo checks, attention is likely to shift toward airport authorities and regulators to reassess and strengthen bird strike prevention frameworks, before the trend escalates further.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
