United Nigeria Airlines has recorded another bird strike incident, bringing the total number of such cases involving its aircraft to five since January 2026.
The latest incident involved a CRJ 900 aircraft operating Flight UN0579 from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday. The aircraft reportedly experienced a bird strike during landing.
In a statement issued by the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, the company confirmed that the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from service for comprehensive technical inspection and maintenance in line with safety procedures.
The airline stated that the decision could lead to disruptions in scheduled flights across its network, while assuring passengers that safety remains its top priority.
It also noted that although this is the fifth bird strike incident since January, all cases have been managed according to aviation safety regulations and elished operational standards.
Bird strike incidents have become a recurring concern in Nigeria’s aviation sector, raising questions about environmental conditions around airports and wildlife management systems.
Experts say that airport locations near wetlands and open grasslands often attract birds due to food availability and habitat conditions. An ornithologist explained that species such as lapwings, kites, and shikras are highly adaptable and may continue to thrive around airport environments despite noise and human activity.
He added that poor environmental management around airports can increase the risk of bird strikes, especially when waste, rodents, or water bos attract feeding birds into flight paths.
Authorities and stakeholders continue to call for stronger wildlife control measures and improved airport environmental management to reduce safety risks to aircraft operations.
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