United Nigeria Airlines grounds 2 aircraft after bird strike incidents

United Nigeria Airlines has grounded two of its Airbus A320 aircraft after they were hit by birds in separate incidents that occurred within 24 hours.

According to Daily Trust, the unexpected development has disrupted parts of the airline’s domestic flight operations, leading to delays and schedule adjustments on some routes.

The airline confirmed that the latest incident occurred on Sunday, February 15, 2026, during the take-off of Flight UN0519 from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to the airline, the bird strike affected one of the aircraft’s engines shortly after departure procedures commenced.

The incident marks the second bird strike in less than 24 hours and the fourth involving the airline’s Airbus fleet since January 2026.

In a statement, the airline said the affected aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service in line with its strict safety protocols.

The earlier aircraft involved in a separate bird strike incident had also been grounded for comprehensive technical inspections.

“As a safety-first airline, we have zero tolerance for operational risks. Both aircraft have been withdrawn from service for detailed technical assessment and necessary maintenance before they can return to operations,” the airline said.

Bird strikes remain a significant safety concern in global aviation, particularly at airports located near wetlands or areas with heavy bird activity. Although aircraft engines are designed and certified to withstand bird strikes under international aviation standards, airlines are required to conduct thorough inspections after such incidents to ensure continued airworthiness.