An Air Peace flight operating from Lagos to Port Harcourt was disrupted on Thursday after the aircraft sustained a bird strike upon arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The airline confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, noting that the bird strike necessitated immediate safety inspections on the affected aircraft and the deployment of an alternative aircraft to operate subsequent flights.
“We deeply empathise with passengers affected by this unforeseen incident and are working diligently to minimise disruptions,” Efe said.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of bird strikes faced by domestic airlines. In December 2025, Air Peace revealed that it recorded 49 bird strike incidents across Nigeria between January and September, warning that even a single strike can ground an aircraft for weeks.
The airline’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, had earlier described bird strikes as a major operational challenge for Nigerian carriers. Speaking on Arise TV, Onyema said such incidents often result in costly repairs and significant disruptions to flight schedules.
“One bird strike can cripple an aircraft for the next month. At that point, there is no alternative,” he said. “These strikes frequently lead to expensive delays and serious operational setbacks.”
Onyema added that the financial impact of bird strikes compounds other challenges confronting local airlines, including heavy taxation and broader operational constraints.
