United Nigeria Airlines has recorded its fifth bird strike of 2026 after one of its CRJ-900 aircraft was hit during a flight from Kano to Abuja on Tuesday, April 14.
The incident involved Flight UN0579 and occurred while the aircraft was landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
In a statement issued by the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service to undergo mandatory safety inspections.
The airline said the decision aligns with its strict safety procedures, noting that the aircraft will remain grounded until comprehensive technical checks are completed. As a result, passengers may experience delays or disruptions across some scheduled flights.
The repeated occurrence of bird strikes—now five since January—has raised fresh concerns among aviation experts about airport safety and environmental management. According to ornithologist Jalo Muhammad, many airports in Nigeria are located near environments that naturally attract birds, such as wetlands and poorly maintained grasslands.
He explained that species like kites and lapwings are often drawn to runways due to the availability of food sources like rodents, making bird strikes more likely if such areas are not properly managed.
United Nigeria Airlines apologized for any inconvenience caused, stressing that all incidents have been handled in full compliance with aviation safety standards. The airline reaffirmed that passenger safety remains its top priority despite the unexpected challenges.