Passengers on several United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) routes were left stranded and angry on Thursday after a bird strike on one of the carrier’s aircraft led to multiple flight cancellations out of Abuja.
A video seen by our correspondent showed a large crowd protesting at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, accusing the airline of neglect and poor communication. Another clip captured Michael Achimugu, spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), addressing the agitated passengers in an effort to restore order.
A bird strike occurs when an aircraft collides with a bird, typically during takeoff or landing. While some cause little damage, others can result in severe structural harm or engine failure, prompting airlines to delay or cancel flights pending mandatory safety checks.
In a post 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 said.
Achimugu confirmed that the affected aircraft suffered a bird strike, necessitating the cancellations, but noted that poor communication from the airline worsened tensions.
“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.
He added that the airline agreed to offer 15% compensation on passengers’ next flight and reschedule the Owerri-bound service to 10 a.m. the following day. The NCAA also directed the airline to send an email update to all affected passengers by 4 p.m.
“We have repeatedly advised airlines to improve communication with passengers, especially during the disruption-prone month of December,” Achimugu said, adding that the Authority would monitor compliance until all affected travellers reach their destinations.
Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines, in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Unit, confirmed the disruptions, attributing them to a bird strike on one of its operating aircraft.
The airline said the aircraft had been grounded for mandatory technical checks in line with its safety protocols.
“As a result, and in strict adherence to our safety standards, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive inspection before returning it to service,” the statement read.
UNA apologised to passengers and appealed for patience, saying its team was working to minimise disruptions and support affected travellers with timely updates and rebooking assistance.
