Flight operations at United Nigeria Airlines have been disrupted after a series of bird strike incidents forced the temporary withdrawal of two Airbus A320 aircraft from service within 24 hours.
The most recent occurrence happened on Sunday, February 15, 2026, when Flight UN0519 departing Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for Murtala Muhammed International Airport experienced a bird strike during take-off. The impact affected one of the aircraft’s engines, prompting the crew to ground the plane for detailed technical checks.
The airline confirmed that this latest incident marks the fourth bird strike involving its Airbus A320 fleet since January 2026 — and the second in less than 24 hours.
A day earlier, on Saturday, Flight UN0523 operating from Asaba to Lagos was also struck by birds. Additionally, another Airbus A320 encountered a bird strike on February 12 in Port Harcourt after arriving from Lagos. Although no visible damage was recorded in that case, the aircraft underwent precautionary safety inspections in line with aviation standards.
With two aircraft currently undergoing comprehensive inspections, the carrier has warned of possible delays and schedule adjustments across its network.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Office, the airline emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority. The affected aircraft, it said, would only return to service after completing rigorous maintenance checks to ensure full airworthiness.
While apologising for the inconvenience caused to passengers, the airline assured customers that its operations and ground teams are working to minimise disruptions and provide necessary assistance to affected travellers.
The cluster of bird strike incidents has drawn attention to ongoing wildlife hazards around Nigerian airports — a recurring operational challenge for airlines, particularly during take-off and landing phases when aircraft are most vulnerable.
Despite the disruptions, the airline reiterated that safety standards will not be compromised under any circumstances, describing safety as the foundation of its operations.