By Our Correspondent

National News – United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed another bird strike incident involving one of its aircraft, marking the sixth occurrence between January and April 2026.

The latest event happened on Wednesday when an Airbus A320-200, operating Flight UN0515 from Port Harcourt to Abuja, encountered the bird strike while landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 3:45 pm.

According to the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuile Uloka, the bird strike affected the nose section of the aircraft.

He explained that although the impact raised safety concerns, all standard aviation safety protocols were strictly followed.

No passengers or crew members were harmed, and the aircraft was safely brought to a stop.

The airline immediately grounded the aircraft for comprehensive technical inspections and maintenance checks.

Uloka noted that the repeated bird strike incidents are becoming a serious operational challenge, affecting flight schedules and raising concerns about aviation safety in Nigeria’s airspace.

United Nigeria Airlines also acknowledged that the situation may disrupt several flights across its network.

Passengers have been advised to remain patient as the airline works to manage delays and cancellations caused by the grounded aircraft.

The airline reassured travelers of its commitment to safety, emphasizing that no aircraft would return to service without thorough clearance.

The recent surge in bird strikes highlights growing environmental and operational risks within the aviation sector.

Industry observers say such incidents often occur due to increased bird activity around airports, poor wildlife management systems, or seasonal migration patterns.

The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and promised continued support to those affected.

Efforts are currently underway to minimize disruptions and maintain service reliability while ensuring strict adherence to safety standards.