United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed a second bird strike in less than 24 hours involving one of its Airbus aircraft, prompting the airline to withdraw the affected plane from service and warn of potential disruptions across its flight network.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the carrier said the incident occurred during take-off of Flight UNO519 scheduled for noon from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport en route to Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The bird strike affected one of the engines of the Airbus A320, marking the airline’s fourth such occurrence since January 2026.
The airline said the aircraft was immediately withdrawn for comprehensive technical inspections in line with its safety procedures, bringing the number of Airbus planes temporarily grounded within 24 hours to two. As a result, passengers may experience schedule changes or flight disruptions while safety checks are completed.
United Nigeria Airlines apologised for the inconvenience caused, describing the situation as an unforeseen development, and assured travelers that teams are working to minimise disruptions while prioritising passenger safety. The airline reiterated its commitment to maintaining strict operational standards as investigations and inspections continue.
