United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), has recorded another bird strike incident involving one of its aircraft.
This is the fifth time the airline would experience such an occurrence since January 2026, thereby raising concerns over aviation safety hazards at Nigerian airports, reports The Guardian.
A statement today by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), UNA, Chibuike Uloka, said that the latest incident occurred during the landing of flight UN0579, which operated from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
The statement hinted that the affected aircraft, a CRJ-900, encountered a 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.”
In line with standard aviation safety protocols, the airline said the affected aircraft had been withdrawn from service for detailed technical inspections and necessary maintenance.
UNA feared that the temporary withdrawal of the aircraft may lead to disruptions across parts of its network, with some scheduled flights likely to be affected.
The carrier, however, reassured passengers that safety remained its top priority, expressing regret over any inconvenience caused by the development.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers’ travel plans,” the statement said.
Bird strikes have continuously been one of the major threats to flight operations in Nigeria, particularly during take-off and landing phases, when aircraft are most vulnerable.
Over time, industry experts have called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to intensify wildlife hazard management at airports, including better habitat control and improved coordination.
