United Nigeria Airlines has grounded one of its aircraft following a bird strike incident, the fifth recorded by the carrier in 2026, raising renewed concerns over aviation safety in the country.

The latest incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Flight UN0579, operating from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, struck a bird while descending into Abuja. The aircraft, a CRJ-900, landed safely without any reported injuries to passengers or crew.

However, the airline immediately withdrew the aircraft from service to allow for detailed inspections and maintenance in line with aviation safety protocols. Spokesperson for the airline, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed the development, noting that safety remains the airline’s top priority.

He added that the temporary grounding of the aircraft may lead to disruptions across some scheduled flights, while efforts are underway to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

The incident marks the fifth bird strike involving the airline within four months, a trend that has drawn attention from industry stakeholders. Aviation experts say repeated bird strikes point to ongoing challenges with wildlife control around airport environments, particularly during critical phases of flight such as landing and takeoff.

Earlier incidents recorded by the airline in February had similarly resulted in operational disruptions, including multiple aircraft withdrawals within a short period.

Bird strikes remain a global aviation hazard, but their increasing frequency in Nigeria has prompted calls for improved wildlife hazard management systems at airports, including better surveillance and environmental control measures.

Despite the recurrence, United Nigeria Airlines reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining strict safety standards and ensuring that all aircraft meet regulatory requirements before returning to service.