KEY POINTS
- A United Nigeria Airlines CRJ-900 aircraft was grounded after a bird strike during landing in Abuja.
- The aircraft is undergoing safety inspections, with possible disruptions to flight schedules.
- The airline reports this as its fifth bird strike incident in 2026, reaffirming its safety commitment.
A United Nigeria Airlines aircraft operating Flight UN0579 was forced out of service after suffering a bird strike while landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday.
The affected CRJ-900 jet, which departed from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, has been grounded to undergo detailed technical inspections and maintenance in line with aviation safety protocols.
Airline Warns of Possible Flight Disruptions
The airline has cautioned passengers about potential disruptions across its network as a result of the temporary withdrawal of the aircraft, while apologising for any inconvenience caused.
United Nigeria Airlines disclosed that this marks the fifth bird strike involving its fleet since January 2026, highlighting ongoing challenges with wildlife hazards in Nigerian airspace.
Despite the incident, the airline reaffirmed its commitment to strict adherence to safety standards and operational reliability, noting that all previous incidents were handled according to aviation regulations.


