Bird Strike Makes United Nigeria Airlines Withdraw CRJ-900 Aircraft From Operation
United Nigeria Airlines says it has withdrawn an operating CRJ-900 aircraft from operations to undergo comprehensive technical inspections and any required maintenance before being returned to service following a bird strike involving the aircraft during the landing of Flight UN0579 from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The airline says the flight was scheduled for 18:15 hours, yesterday, Tuesday, 14 April, 2026 but the aircraft was withdrawn “in line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards.”
“Consequently, some flights across our network may not operate as scheduled; however, safety remains our highest priority. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this unforeseen development may cause to our passengers’ travel plans.
While this marks the fifth bird strike involving our aircraft since January 2026, each occurrence has been managed in full compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and established operational procedures. We appreciate the understanding of our valued passengers and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational reliability. We will continue to take all necessary measures to optimize our operations and exceed the expectations of our passengers,” states the airline.
