Passengers on several United Nigeria Airlines routes departing Abuja were left stranded and frustrated on Thursday after a bird strike on one of the airline’s aircraft led to widespread flight cancellations.
In a video sighted by our correspondent, a large crowd of passengers was seen protesting at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, accusing the airline of neglect and poor communication.
Another clip captured the spokesperson of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, addressing angry passengers in an attempt to calm the situation.
A bird strike occurs when an aircraft collides with a bird—or, in rare cases, other wildlife—usually during takeoff or landing. While some incidents cause minimal damage, others can result in serious structural harm, engine failures, or even catastrophic accidents. Airlines typically cancel or delay flights pending thorough safety inspections.
Reacting via his verified X handle, Achimugu said the NCAA intervened to prevent the situation from spiralling.
“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.
He confirmed that the aircraft involved suffered a bird strike, which forced cancellations, but noted that poor communication from the airline worsened tensions.
He added, “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.
“For the lack of timely and proper communication, the airline has agreed to give passengers 15 per cent compensation on their next flight while rescheduling their Owerri-bound travel to 10 a.m. tomorrow,” he added.
“We also instructed the airline to send an email to passengers by 4 p.m. today. Had the airline addressed customers in a transparent and timely manner, the chaos would have been avoided.”
Achimugu further noted that the NCAA has repeatedly warned airlines to improve communication with passengers, especially during the disruption-heavy December travel period. He assured that the Authority will monitor United Nigeria Airlines’ compliance until every affected traveller reaches their destination.
Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines confirmed the disruptions in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Unit. It said that “due to a bird strike on one of our operating aircraft, some flights across our network will not operate as scheduled.”
The airline said the affected aircraft has been grounded to undergo mandatory technical checks. According to the statement, “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 carrier reassured passengers of its commitment to safety, emphasising that “United Nigeria Airlines remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards.”
It appealed for patience, stating: “We sincerely apologise for the inconveniences this unforeseen development may cause to your travel plans and kindly appeal for the understanding and patience of our valued passengers. Our team is working diligently to minimise disruptions and to support all affected travellers with timely updates and rebooking assistance.”