Aircraft turbulence and avian collision hinder United Nigeria's flight schedule

United Nigeria Airlines' operations were severely impacted on Sunday when two of its aircraft were involved in separate incidents, leading to disruptions in scheduled services across its network, with one incident occurring at the Murtala Muhammed Airport where an Embraer 190 aircraft was damaged during ground operations after arriving from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

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The airline confirmed that the damage to the Embraer 190 aircraft occurred shortly after its arrival, affecting its ability to operate subsequent flights, and also reported that a bird strike affected one of the engines of its Airbus A320 operating Flight UN0509 from Asaba International Airport to Lagos.

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The bird strike on the Airbus A320 aircraft forced the cancellation of some flights, according to the airline, which stated that the incident occurred on Sunday, 29th March, 2026, during Flight UN0509 from Asaba International Airport to Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, scheduled for 12:00 hours.

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The airline's Public Relations Office explained that the first incident happened while preparations were ongoing to board passengers for another scheduled flight, and a nearby aircraft, having completed its own boarding process, commenced taxiing, generating a significant jet blast within the ramp area.

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The jet blast displaced a baggage trolley belonging to a ground handling company, which subsequently made contact with the United Nigeria Airlines aircraft preparing for Flight UN0500, scheduled for 12:00 hours, resulting in damage to external components, including the antenna and the forward fuselage area near the nose landing gear.

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The impact of the jet blast led to the withdrawal of the affected aircraft from service for a comprehensive inspection before returning to operations, in adherence to the airline's strict and uncompromising safety standards, according to the airline's statement.

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United Nigeria Airlines reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest safety standards, ensuring the safety of its passengers and crew, and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation of some flights due to the incidents.

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The airline issued a statement informing its valued passengers and the general public that some flights across its network would not operate as scheduled due to the bird strike on one of the engines of its operating Airbus A320 aircraft during Flight UN0509 from Asaba International Airport to Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.