By Peter Omopo
Passengers on several United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) routes were left stranded and visibly frustrated on Thursday after a bird strike forced the grounding of one of the carrier’s aircraft, leading to widespread flight cancellations across its network.
At the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, crowds of aggrieved passengers were seen protesting the disruptions. A video obtained by our correspondent showed travellers confronting airline staff and alleging poor communication and neglect.
Another clip captured the spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, addressing the irate passengers in an attempt to calm the growing tension.
A bird strike occurs when an aircraft collides with a bird or other wildlife during takeoff or landing. While often minor, such incidents can cause serious structural or engine damage, prompting airlines to delay or cancel flights pending technical inspections.
In a statement published on his verified X handle, Achimugu said the NCAA intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.
“To avert further disaster at the domestic wing of the Abuja airport, my team and I rushed to the terminal where I addressed over one hundred passengers scheduled to fly Abuja–Owerri via United Nigeria Airline,” he wrote.
Achimugu confirmed that the airline’s aircraft suffered a bird strike, but noted that delayed communication from the airline worsened passengers’ anger.
“Passengers became irate, and some turned violent. One of them destroyed laptops belonging to the airline, assaulted their staff, and injured a FAAN AVSEC personnel,” he said.
To address the situation, he disclosed that the airline agreed to offer 15 per cent compensation on passengers’ next flight and rescheduled the Abuja–Owerri service to 10 a.m. on Friday. The NCAA also instructed the airline to notify passengers via email by 4 p.m.
“Had the airline addressed customers in a transparent and timely manner, the chaos would have been avoided,” he added.
Achimugu reiterated that the NCAA has repeatedly urged airlines to improve communication with passengers, particularly during the disruption-heavy month of December. He assured that the Authority would monitor UNA’s handling of affected travellers until all reach their destinations.
Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines, in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Unit, confirmed the disruption and attributed it to the bird strike incident.
“Due to a bird strike on one of our operating aircraft, some flights across our network will not operate as scheduled,” the airline stated.
The affected aircraft has been grounded to undergo mandatory technical checks, in line with UNA’s safety procedures.
“As a result, and in strict adherence to our safety standards, the aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive inspection before returning to service,” the statement read.
The airline apologised for the inconvenience caused and appealed for passengers’ patience.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconveniences this unforeseen development may cause to your travel plans. Our team is working diligently to minimise disruptions and support affected travellers with timely updates and rebooking assistance.”
UNA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest operational and passenger safety standards as investigations and inspections continue.
