United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has grounded three aircraft in the past 48 hours after they suffered bird strikes, the airline said on Friday.
In a statement, UNA spokesperson Chibuike Uloka said the latest incident occurred on Thursday at Benin City Airport, where an Embraer 190 aircraft was struck by a bird while preparing for takeoff. The impact damaged the nose landing gear, forcing the airline to cancel Flight UN0561 to Abuja.
Bird strikes, which involve collisions between birds and aircraft, are most common during takeoff and landing at low altitudes. They can cause significant damage to engines, windshields, and airframes, posing serious safety risks.
According to UNA, this is the third bird strike in 48 hours and the seventh since January 7. The airline described the frequency of such incidents as “extremely concerning and unacceptable,” citing their impact on flight safety and operations.
“While our operating aircraft have experienced multiple bird strike incidents, we report only those that have resulted in aircraft being grounded due to damaged part(s),” the statement said.
UNA called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures at major airports to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
The airline also apologized to passengers for travel disruptions caused by the service interruptions.
Bird strikes remain a persistent challenge for aviation safety worldwide, with airports investing in wildlife control measures such as habitat management, radar detection, and bird dispersal techniques to mitigate risks.
