The Digest:
United Nigeria Airlines has suffered a second bird strike in less than 24 hours, forcing the withdrawal of two Airbus A320 aircraft from service and causing widespread flight disruptions. The first incident occurred Saturday during take-off of Flight UN0523 from Asaba to Lagos, followed by another Sunday on Flight UN0519 from Abuja to Lagos. The airline stated this brings the total number of bird strikes to four since January 2026. In a statement, the airline said affected aircraft have been withdrawn for comprehensive technical inspections, adhering to "strict and uncompromising safety standards." Passengers face disruptions across the network as the airline works to minimize inconveniences. United Nigeria apologized, describing this as "another bird strike too many."
Key Points:
- The recurring incidents raise safety concerns and disrupt travel plans for hundreds of passengers.
- It highlights the persistent challenge of bird strikes at Nigerian airports requiring urgent mitigation.
- Passengers face delays and cancellations, while the airline absorbs operational and reputational costs.
- This signals the need for enhanced wildlife management at critical aviation infrastructure.
- The timing, with four strikes since January, suggests a worsening trend requiring systemic intervention.
Sources: Vanguard, United Nigeria Airlines Statement
