United Nigeria Airlines suspends flights for one of its planes following collision with bird in Abuja

United Nigeria Airlines has acknowledged a recent bird strike incident involving one of its Airbus A320-200 planes, which occurred while landing at Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, as reported by Nnasom David.

The incident took place at approximately 15:45 on Wednesday, as Flight UN0515 from Port Harcourt International Airport was approaching the runway, resulting in damage to the aircraft's nose section.

This latest incident marks the airline's sixth bird strike in 2026, prompting concerns about the frequency of such events and their potential impact on aviation safety and operational stability.

In response to the incident, the affected aircraft was immediately removed from service to undergo a thorough technical inspection and maintenance before being cleared to resume operations.

Additionally, another United Nigeria Airlines aircraft was grounded within a 24-hour period, bringing the total number of out-of-service planes to two.

As a result of these developments, the airline has warned that passengers may face delays or cancellations across its network, and has appealed for understanding from its customers.

According to the airline, safety remains its top priority, and efforts are currently underway to minimize disruptions and provide support to affected travellers.