Another aircraft belonging to United Nigeria Airlines flying from Port Harcourt to Abuja has been grounded after suffering a bird strike while landing at its destination.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuile Uloka.
Earlier on the same day, the airline had announced a separate bird strike involving one of its CRJ-900 aircraft.
The latest development brings to six the number of the airline’s aircraft grounded over similar incidents between January and April 2026.
Uloka said the latest incident involved an Airbus A320-200 aircraft operating Flight UN0515, which departed Port Harcourt and was scheduled to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 3:45 pm.
He added that the bird strike affected the nose section of the aircraft but assured all that safety protocols were strictly followed.
“United Nigeria Airlines regrets to inform our valued passengers and the general public of yet another bird strike involving one of our Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The incident occurred on landing and affected the nose section of the aircraft,” the statement read.
Despite the incident, the airline maintained that there was no compromise to passenger safety, noting that the aircraft has been grounded for comprehensive checks.
The statement reads, “In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo thorough technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service.
“This marks the sixth bird strike involving our aircraft so far in 2026. An occurrence we find deeply concerning and unacceptable due to its implications for aviation safety and operational stability.
“As a result, some flights across our network may experience disruptions or may not operate as scheduled. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and kindly ask for your understanding, as safety remains our top priority.”
Travellers affected by the disruptions have been urged to remain patient as efforts are underway to manage the situation.
“Our team is working diligently to minimise disruptions and provide support to all affected travellers. We remain fully committed to ensuring the safety, comfort, and reliability our passengers expect from us,” the airline added.
Akinlotan is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of experience reporting on politics, social justice, motoring, railways, and aviation. His work focuses on accountability, public interest, and social change, producing stories that inspire reform and amplify underrepresented voices. Akinlotan’s reporting reflects extensive newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a strong commitment to accurate, impact-driven journalism.
