United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed another bird strike incident involving one of its Airbus A320-200 aircraft, marking the second such occurrence within 24 hours and intensifying concerns over aviation safety and operational stability.

The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, when Flight UN0515, operating from Port Harcourt to Abuja, experienced a bird strike while landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The impact affected the nose section of the aircraft.

The airline noted that this brings the total number of bird strike incidents involving its fleet to six in 2026 alone—an alarming trend with significant implications for safety and operations.

In line with its strict safety protocols, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive inspection and necessary maintenance. With this development, two aircraft have now been grounded within a 24-hour period.

As a result, passengers across the airline’s network may experience delays or disruptions to scheduled flights. United Nigeria Airlines has apologised for the inconvenience and appealed for understanding, assuring that efforts are ongoing to minimise the impact and support affected travellers.

The airline reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards while ensuring passenger comfort and operational reliability.

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By Pearl Ngwama

Pearl Ngwama is a prominent Nigerian media professional, an advocate of Nigeria Transport Sector development and Managing Director of JustAlive Communications Ltd, publishers of JustNet News. She is the convener of the annual Nigeria Transport Summit.

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