United Nigeria Airlines grounds two Airbus jets after back-to-back bird strikes.

Ujjwal Sukhwani
By Ujjwal SukhwaniPublished Feb 16, 2026 at 02:00 AM UTC, 2 min read

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.

United Nigeria Airlines grounds two Airbus jets after back-to-back bird strikes.

United Nigeria Airlines grounded two Airbus aircraft within 24 hours after separate bird strikes; the move causes significant operational disruptions.

Key Takeaways

  • United Nigeria Airlines grounded two Airbus aircraft within 24 hours.
  • Two separate bird strike incidents caused the emergency groundings.
  • Significant flight cancellations and delays are affecting domestic routes.
  • Engineers are conducting mandatory safety inspections on both jet engines.

United Nigeria Airlines faces a major operational crisis. Two of its Airbus aircraft are currently grounded. This decision followed two separate bird strike incidents. Both events occurred within a 24-hour window. These strikes have caused significant flight disruptions.

Impact on Flight Operations

The grounding of these jets is a blow. It affects the airline's daily flight schedule. Many domestic routes now face cancellations. Passengers are experiencing long travel delays. The airline issued a formal apology today. They are working to minimize the impact. Safety remains their primary concern right now.

According to the Airbus technical guidelines, strikes require inspections. Engineers must check for engine blade damage. They also look for structural wing issues. This process takes time and expert care. The aircraft will remain out of service. They must pass all safety checks first.

Wildlife Hazards in Nigeria

Bird strikes are a recurring industry problem. They pose risks during takeoff and landing. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) manages this. They are responsible for wildlife control at airports. Experts say bird activity is high lately. This creates a dangerous environment for jets.

Industry data from ICAO shows rising strike rates. Wildlife hazards cost airlines billions of dollars. These costs include repairs and lost revenue. Nigeria is working to improve runway safety. New bird deterrent systems are being tested. However, the risk remains a daily challenge.

Maintaining Safety Standards

United Nigeria Airlines follows strict safety rules. These rules are set by global bodies. The IATA sets high standards for members. Airlines must report every single strike incident. This helps track patterns and improve safety.

Key takeaways for passengers:

  • Check flight status before heading out.
  • Expect delays on major domestic routes.
  • Safety inspections are mandatory for travel.

The airline is currently assessing the damage. They hope to return the jets soon. For now, operational stability is the goal. Aviation regulators are monitoring the entire situation.

Get breaking commercial aviation news and expert airline analysis at flying.flights. For detailed airline coverage, route changes, and fleet moves, explore the Airlines section at flying.flights/airlines.

Ujjwal Sukhwani

Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.

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