United Nigeria Airlines Experiences Another Bird-Related Incident

Aircraft operated by United Nigeria Airlines have once again been involved in a bird strike, with the latest incident occurring on a flight from Port Harcourt to Abuja, resulting in the grounding of the plane. The airline's spokesperson, Chibuile Uloka, disclosed this information in a statement released on Wednesday.

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Earlier that same day, the airline had announced a separate bird strike incident involving one of its CRJ-900 aircraft, highlighting the recurring nature of these events. This latest incident brings the total number of United Nigeria Airlines' aircraft grounded due to bird strikes between January and April 2026 to six.

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The affected aircraft, an Airbus A320-200 operating Flight UN0515, departed from Port Harcourt and was scheduled to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at approximately 3:45 pm. According to Uloka, the bird strike impacted the nose section of the aircraft, but he assured that all necessary safety protocols were strictly adhered to.

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A statement released by the airline expressed regret over the incident, stating that the bird strike occurred during landing and affected the aircraft's nose section, prompting the airline to ground the plane for comprehensive checks. The statement emphasized that passenger safety was not compromised during the incident.

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In line with its strict safety standards, the airline immediately withdrew the aircraft from operation to undergo thorough technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service. This incident marks the sixth bird strike involving the airline's aircraft in 2026, an occurrence that raises concerns about aviation safety and operational stability.

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The airline acknowledged that some flights across its network may experience disruptions or may not operate as scheduled due to the incident, and apologized for any inconvenience this may cause, urging passengers to remain patient. The airline's team is working diligently to minimize disruptions and provide support to affected travelers.

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United Nigeria Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety, comfort, and reliability that its passengers expect, and is working to manage the situation and provide necessary support to affected travelers. The airline's priority remains the safety of its passengers, and it is taking all necessary steps to address the issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.