Another Bird Strike Has Affected United Nigeria Airlines

Another bird strike has been reported by United Nigeria Airlines, bringing the total number of occurrences involving its aircraft since January to five.

The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday during the landing of Flight UN0579 from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The aircraft was a CRJ-900.

According to a statement from Chibuike Uloka, the airline’s public relations officer, the development may cause several flights within its network to be disrupted.

The statement says: “The aircraft has been immediately removed from operations to undergo thorough technical inspections and any necessary maintenance before being returned to service in accordance with our strict and uncompromising safety standards.”

“Consequently, some flights across our network may not operate as scheduled; however, safety remains our highest priority. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers’ travel plans.

“While this marks the fifth bird strike involving our aircraft since January 2026, each occurrence has been managed in full compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures.”

Recurring bird strike incidents across the country’s airports have continued to raise concerns among stakeholders. An ornithologist, Jalo Muhammad, who recently spoke to Nggossips on the issue, fingered environmental factors around airports.

According to Muhammad, “Usually, birds are highly mobile, and this makes them an incredible creature. They are always attracted to the habitat. If the airport is around a big wetland area, there will definitely be an abundance of birds, which may lead to bird strikes. In grassland areas, there are a lot of rodents which draw the attention of certain birds.

The majority of those birds may be drawn to an airport in an undeveloped area if it is not adequately managed. The birds that dwell in the vicinity of an airport, such as lawnmowers, kites, Shikra, and others, are adaptable despite their dislike of noise. As long as there is food nearby, they will adjust to any changes.