United Nigeria Urges FAAN To Strengthen Wildlife Hazard Management As Airline Suffers 3rd Bird Strike In 2 Days

United Nigeria Airlines has called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to intensify wildlife hazard management measures across airports, following yet another bird strike incident on its Embraer 190 aircraft on Thursday —the third within 48 hours and seventh recorded case in 2026.

The call was contained in a press statement issued on Friday and signed by the airline’s Public Relations Office, in which the carrier lamented that it had suffered a third consecutive bird strike in less than 48 hours, a development it said was unacceptable given its impact on safety and operational reliability.

“United Nigeria Airlines regrets to inform our valued passengers and the general public of yet another bird strike on our Embraer 190 aircraft,” the statement read.

The airline then made a direct appeal to FAAN to take urgent action to mitigate the growing risk.

“We urge the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures across major airports to minimize the risk of such occurrences,” it stated.

According to the airline, the latest incident occurred during take-off of Flight UN0561 from Benin City Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 16:20 hours on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

“The incident occurred during take-off… and damaged the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) door linkage of the aircraft,” it stated.

The airline said the development has further worsened an already troubling pattern, noting that the latest occurrence brings the number of its grounded aircraft due to bird strikes to three within 48 hours.

“This latest occurrence increases the number of aircraft grounded due to bird strikes to three (3) in less than 48-hours, marking the seventh such incident in 2026—an extremely concerning and unacceptable pattern given its impact on safety and operational reliability,” the statement added.

In line with safety protocols, the airline confirmed that the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from operations.

“Consistent with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations… to allow for detailed technical inspections and all necessary maintenance before returning to service,” it said.

While noting that not all bird strikes result in grounded aircraft, the airline emphasised that it reported only incidents with significant damage.

“We report only those that have resulted in aircraft being grounded due to damage part(s),” it clarified.

It also apologised to passengers for disruptions caused by the repeated incidents.

“We sincerely apologize to our valued passengers for any inconvenience to their travel plans… as safety remains our highest priority,” the statement added.

The development came just a day after the airline confirmed its sixth bird strike incident, which involved an Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

The airline had disclosed that the aircraft sustained damage to its nose section while landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Port Harcourt.

“While this marks the sixth bird strike involving our aircraft so far in 2026—an occurrence we find deeply concerning and unacceptable,” the airline had said at the time.