United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed its fourth bird strike incident in 2026, forcing the temporary withdrawal of two Airbus A320 aircraft from service for comprehensive safety inspections.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday, February 15, 2026, during the take-off of Flight UN0519 from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Airbus A320 Engine Hit During Abuja Take-Off
According to a statement signed by the airline’s Public Relations Office, the bird strike affected one of the engines of the Airbus A320 aircraft, prompting its immediate grounding in line with strict aviation safety standards.
The airline stated that the aircraft has been withdrawn from operations for detailed technical inspections before being cleared for service.
“In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive technical inspections before returning to operations,” the statement read.
Two Aircraft Grounded Within 24 Hours
The airline disclosed that this was the second bird strike in less than 24 hours and the fourth since January 2026. As a result, two Airbus aircraft have now been temporarily removed from service.
This development is expected to disrupt several scheduled flights across the airline’s domestic network, particularly on high-traffic routes such as Abuja–Lagos.
United Nigeria Airlines apologised to passengers for the inconvenience, describing the situation as “another bird strike too many.”
Previous Bird Strike Incidents in February
The latest aviation safety incident follows:
A bird strike on Saturday, February 14, involving Flight UN0523 from Asaba to Lagos.
An earlier incident on February 12 involving Flight UN0514/614 in Port Harcourt after landing from Lagos. Although no visible damage was detected, precautionary airworthiness checks were conducted.
The recurrence of bird strikes within a short period has raised concerns about wildlife hazards at Nigerian airports and their impact on airline operations.
Airline Reaffirms Commitment to Passenger Safety
Despite the disruptions, United Nigeria Airlines emphasised that safety remains its top priority.
“Safety will never be compromised, as it remains the foundation of our operations,” the airline reiterated.
Affected passengers have been advised to contact the airline through its official communication channels for rebooking and assistance.
