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By Chinelo Obogo
United Nigeria Airlines has suffered another bird strike, the fifth in four months, after one of its CRJ-900 aircraft was struck during the landing of Flight UN0579 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
The flight had been scheduled to depart Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano at 18:15 hours, and was bound for Abuja, when the incident occurred. The airline said that in keeping with its safety protocols, it immediately grounded the aircraft for comprehensive technical inspections and any necessary maintenance before it can return to service.
The airline warned passengers of possible disruptions across its network as a result. It said: “Safety remains our highest priority. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause.”
The latest incident is part of a troubling pattern for the carrier. The airline acknowledged in its statement that this marks its fifth bird strike since January 2026. In February, two of its Airbus A320 aircraft were grounded following separate bird strike incidents within a 24-hour period, causing widespread flight disruptions across its network.
The February incidents included Flight UN0519, which suffered a bird strike to one of its engines during take-off from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where the aircraft was scheduled to depart for Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at noon on February 15, 2026.
The airline maintained that each incident has been handled in full compliance with aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures, and reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and operational reliability.
