Three aircrafts in the United Nigeria Airlines, fleet have been grounded in the last 48 hours owing to bird strike.
Chibuike Uloka, the Public Relations Officer of airline in a Statement on Friday disclosed that the company suffered another bird strike on Embraer 190 aircraft at Benin City Airport on Thursday.
The carrier described the incident as its sixth bird strike in 2026, expressing concern over the frequency and its impact on aviation safety and operational stability.
It stated that the affected aircraft had been immediately withdrawn from service for full technical inspection and maintenance before being cleared to return to operations.
Uloka said the affected aircraft which had been withdrawn as a result of damage on its Nose Landing Gear was Flight UN0561 on its way from Benin Airport to Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that bird strike is a collision between a bird and a moving aircraft, occurring most frequently during takeoff or landing at low altitudes.
The impact of bird strike can cause significant damage to engines, windshields, and airframes.
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United Nigeria said the Benin Airport incident was the third in the last 48 hours and seventh since Jan. 7 adding that the frequency of bird strikes on its operations had assumed an extremely concerning and unacceptable pattern given its impact on safety.
“While our operating aircraft have experienced multiple bird strike incidents, we report only those that have resulted in aircraft being grounded due to damaged part.
“We urge the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures across major airports to minimize the risk of such occurrences.
“We sincerely apologize to our passengers for any inconvenience to their travel plans resulting from service disruptions caused by multiple bird strikes,” it said.
NAN
