A bird strike incident involving a United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) aircraft has caused significant operational disruptions at Lagos's Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA). The event, which occurred on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, led to the grounding of an Airbus A320 and forced the airline to cancel several scheduled flights across its network.
Details of the Lagos Airport Incident
The affected aircraft was operating a flight from Asaba International Airport in Delta State to Lagos when the incident happened. As the pilot was preparing to land at MMA, the aircraft collided with birds. Investigations revealed that two birds were sucked into the aircraft's engines.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, the airline's Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed the event. He stated that in line with stringent safety protocols, the Airbus A320 had been immediately withdrawn from service. The aircraft will undergo a comprehensive inspection and necessary repairs before it is cleared to return to operations.
Operational Impact and Passenger Apology
The grounding of the aircraft has had a ripple effect on United Nigeria Airlines' schedule. The airline acknowledged that some of its planned routes would not be served as intended, leading to delays and cancellations.
The airline issued a sincere apology to its passengers for the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen event. In its statement, UNA appealed for the understanding and patience of its valued customers. The carrier's team is actively working to minimise disruptions and is providing support to affected travellers with timely updates and rebooking assistance.
Uloka reiterated the airline's unwavering commitment to upholding the highest safety standards, emphasising that passenger safety remains its top priority.
The Persistent and Costly Challenge of Bird Strikes
This incident highlights an ongoing and expensive problem for Nigerian aviation. Bird strikes are a frequent hazard at airports across the country, causing substantial financial losses and operational headaches for carriers.
In 2025, other major airlines faced similar issues:
- Air Peace reported approximately 49 bird-strike events affecting its operations over a one-year period in the last quarter of 2025.
- United Nigeria Airlines itself experienced multiple bird strikes throughout 2025, which led to aircraft groundings, delays, and cancellations.
These incidents often force flights to return to their departure airports for urgent safety checks, disrupting schedules and leaving passengers stranded. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) estimated in 2025 that the industry loses at least N20 billion annually solely due to bird-strike damage. This colossal sum is spent on repairing or replacing engines and other aircraft components damaged by collisions with birds.
The recurrence of such events at Nigerian airports underscores the need for continued and enhanced wildlife hazard management to ensure safer skies and more reliable air travel.
