Two Airbus A320 aircraft of the United Nigeria Airlines have been grounded by bird strike incidents within 24 hours.
In a statement, the e 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.
The statement further said the affected aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service in line with its strict safety protocols.
“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 Both aircraft have been withdrawn from service for detailed technical assessment and necessary maintenance before they can return to operations,” the airline said.
The earlier aircraft involved in a separate bird strike incident had also been grounded for comprehensive technical inspections.
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.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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