By Chinedu Okafor, African News Correspondent
Passengers traveling on United Nigeria Airlines were left stranded on Thursday after a bird strike forced the grounding of one of the carrier’s aircraft, leading to widespread cancellations across several Abuja-bound routes.
At the domestic wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, tempers flared as frustrated travelers staged a protest, accusing the airline of poor communication and neglect. Videos circulating online showed crowds demanding answers, while officials from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stepped in to calm the situation.
NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu confirmed that the incident involved a bird strike, a collision between an aircraft and wildlife that can occur during takeoff or landing. Though often minor, such incidents can cause serious damage, prompting airlines to suspend operations until safety inspections are completed.
Achimugu explained that his team intervened to prevent further escalation. “To avert disaster at the domestic wing of the Abuja airport, I addressed over one hundred passengers scheduled to fly Abuja–Owerri via United Nigeria Airline,” he said.
The delay in communication from the airline, however, worsened tensions. Some passengers reportedly turned violent, damaging airline property and injuring staff, including a Federal Airports Authority security officer. In response, United Nigeria Airlines agreed to provide 15 percent compensation on future flights and rescheduled the Owerri-bound service for Friday morning.
Achimugu stressed that timely communication could have prevented the chaos, adding that the NCAA has consistently urged airlines to improve passenger engagement, particularly during the busy December travel season.
United Nigeria Airlines later issued a statement confirming the disruption: “Due to a bird strike on one of our operating aircraft, some flights across our network will not operate as scheduled. In strict adherence to our safety standards, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive inspection.”
The airline apologized for the inconvenience and assured passengers that efforts were underway to minimize disruptions, assist with rebooking, and provide timely updates.