United Nigeria Airlines has grounded one of its aircraft following a bird strike during landing operations, marking the fifth such incident involving the carrier's fleet since the start of 2026.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Flight UN0579, operating the Kano to Abuja route, was struck by birds during its approach to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The CRJ-900 aircraft was conducting the scheduled 18:15 hours departure from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport when the strike took place.
In response, the airline immediately withdrew the aircraft from commercial service to undergo thorough technical inspections and any necessary maintenance work before returning it to the fleet. United Nigeria Airlines stated that the decision aligns with its commitment to maintaining rigorous safety standards.
"Safety remains our highest priority," the company's Public Relations Office said in a statement. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers' travel plans."
The grounding is expected to affect some scheduled flights across the airline's network. United Nigeria Airlines emphasized that all five bird strike incidents since January 2026 have been handled in full compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures.
"We appreciate the understanding of our valued passengers and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational reliability," the statement added. "We will continue to take all necessary measures to optimize our operations and exceed the expectations of our passengers."