Bird strike forces United Nigeria to ground aircraft in Lagos

One of United Nigeria Airlines' aircraft was grounded at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos due to a bird strike on September 1, 2026, according to a statement released on the company's X page. The incident occurred during the arrival of Flight UN0523, when the right engine of the Embraer 190 experienced damage caused by a bird collision.

Following standard post-flight inspection, the airline's maintenance team discovered evidence of the bird strike at 21:40 UTC on the affected engine. As per their safety protocols, United Nigeria Airlines withdrew the aircraft from service for further inspection and maintenance. This withdrawal will disrupt the airline's schedule, leading to potential delays and disruptions for several scheduled flights.

The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, assuring that support would be provided to those affected. United Nigeria Airlines has previously reported several bird strike incidents in 2026, with some leading to temporary grounding of aircraft and schedule changes.