United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has grounded three aircraft in the past 48 hours due to bird strikes, as announced by the airline on Friday. UNA spokesperson Chibuike Uloka reported that the most recent incident occurred on Thursday at Benin City Airport, where an Embraer 190 aircraft was struck by a bird while preparing for takeoff. The collision caused damage to the nose landing gear, leading to the cancellation of Flight UN0561 to Abuja.
Bird strikes, which involve collisions between birds and aircraft, are most prevalent during takeoff and landing at low altitudes. These incidents can result in significant damage to engines, windshields, and airframes, posing serious safety risks. According to UNA, this marks the third bird strike in 48 hours and the seventh since January 7. The airline expressed that the frequency of such incidents is “extremely concerning and unacceptable,” highlighting their impact on flight safety and operations.
In the statement, UNA clarified that while their operating aircraft have encountered multiple bird strike incidents, they only report those that have led to the grounding of aircraft due to damage. The airline urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to enhance wildlife hazard management measures at major airports to mitigate the risk of future occurrences. Additionally, UNA extended its apologies to passengers for the travel disruptions caused by these service interruptions.
Bird strikes continue to be a significant challenge for aviation safety globally. Airports are increasingly investing in wildlife control measures, including habitat management, radar detection, and bird dispersal techniques, to reduce associated risks.
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