The spike in bird strike occurrences and related technical disruptions across Nigerian airlines is renewing concern over a recurring yet frequently overlooked risk within the nation’s aviation industry, OLASUNKANMI AKINLOTAN reports
Bird strikes have continually recurred at a time when domestic operators are making efforts to compete in terms of capacity with their foreign competitors around the world.
Although modern aircraft safety systems are operating as intended, industry stakeholders say the increasing rate of bird strikes, mid-air technical alerts and precautionary diversions is revealing gaps in airport environmental management and adding financial strain on domestic airlines.
In the past month alone, United Nigeria Airlines has recorded four bird strike incidents at airports across the country, underscoring the rapidly worsening nature of the challenge facing operators.
The most recent occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when an Airbus A320 scheduled to operate Flight UN0519 from Abuja to Lagos encountered birds during its takeoff.
According to the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, the incident forced the airline to withdraw the aircraft from service immediately for safety checks.
He said, “In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft was withdrawn from service for comprehensive technical inspections. Safety remains our highest priority. We sincerely apologise for the disruptions caused to our valued passengers.”
The incident resulted in the temporary grounding of two Airbus aircraft within 24 hours, triggering flight disruptions across the airline’s network.
In January, Air Peace also reported a bird strike involving one of its flights from Lagos to Port Harcourt shortly after the aircraft landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The airline said it suffered 49 bird strikes in 2025, along with incurring a financial commitment for the same reason running into millions of dollars.
The airline’s spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, said the development required immediate safety inspections and operational adjustments.
“We deeply empathise with passengers affected by this unforeseen incident and are working diligently to minimise disruptions,” Osifo-Whiskey said.
For airline operators, bird strikes are far more than minor operational interruptions. They often translate into costly repairs, grounded aircraft and disrupted schedules.
The Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has repeatedly lamented the operational and financial impact of bird strikes on airlines.
“One bird strike could cripple your aircraft for the next month. At that moment, there is no two ways about it. These bird strikes often lead to costly delays and serious disruptions in flight schedules,” Onyema said.
For passengers, the consequences usually come in the form of delays, rescheduling or outright cancellations of flights. For airlines already battling high operating costs, this means engineering expenses, lost revenue and mounting operational strain.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria estimated that domestic airlines lose at least N20 bn annually to bird strike-related repairs, replacement of aircraft components, delays and cancellations occasioned by bird strikes.
“Each bird strike is not just a safety event; it is an economic event. Engines are extremely sensitive components. Even when damage appears minor, airlines must carry out thorough inspections. That costs money and time”, the association noted.
Although the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has implemented measures such as grass management, bird-scaring devices and habitat control, experts say enforcement and coordination must improve.
Rapid urban expansion around airports in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Owerri has further complicated the problem.
More Issues
While bird strikes have dominated recent headlines, other operational incidents have also occurred that have shaken the faith of airline operators in recent times. The chief among these incidents happened to an aircraft belonging to Arik Air operating a flight to Port Harcourt, which was forced to divert to Benin City after passengers and crew heard a loud bang from one of the engines.
The Boeing 737-700 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, had commenced descent into Port Harcourt when the incident occurred.
According to the airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, the crew immediately initiated a precautionary diversion to the nearest suitable airport. All 80 passengers on board disembarked safely in Benin City without injury.
“Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination. We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and wellbeing of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air,” the airline stated.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau later disclosed that the flight crew detected abnormal engine indications during the cruise phase of the flight.
According to the bureau, the pilots carried out a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted safely in line with standard aviation procedures.
Preliminary observations at the diversion airport indicated significant damage to the affected engine.
The bureau said a preliminary report would be released within 30 days in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13 investigation procedures.
Although none of the recent incidents resulted in casualties, industry experts warn that the pattern of recurring disruptions can no longer be dismissed as isolated events.
Modern jet engines are built to withstand certain bird impacts without catastrophic failure, which explains why most bird strike cases do not lead to accidents.
However, aviation’s safety culture demands that every suspected bird ingestion be treated with the utmost seriousness.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has repeatedly maintained that the country remains compliant with global aviation safety standards.
“The important thing is not the occurrence of incidents. What matters is how those incidents are managed. So far, procedures have been followed,” the Authority recently said.
Aircraft maintenance engineer Moses Onifade stressed that bird strikes are seasonal but, when handled properly, can be largely avoided. He said birds, in most cases, get to the airside when the area looks bushy.
He added that measures can be put in place to guard against the recurring incidents which, according to him, cost operators huge sums in most cases.
He said, “Bird strikes are seasonal, and as you know, the birds are mostly looking for food; that is what mostly gets them to the airfield. Also, particularly when the runway looks bushy, it attracts birds, and anytime the incidents happen, it always costs the operators huge money depending on what damage is caused to the aircraft. So, runways must be well taken care of.
“If the engine ingests very many birds, it may damage a compressor plate, and if one compressor plate is damaged, that is a serious issue, a lot of money that could cause the operators to remove the engine and send it to overhaul.”
Speaking about remedies to minimise such incidents, Onifade said: “There are several ways to minimise that; one of these is that you can use ‘fake guns’ that will occasionally fire and make sounds to scare away the birds.”
