Passengers on several United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) routes from Abuja were left stranded on Thursday after one of the airline’s aircraft suffered a bird strike, prompting multiple flight cancellations.
Videos from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport showed frustrated travellers protesting at the domestic wing, accusing the airline of poor communication and neglect.
Michael Achimugu, spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), addressed passengers on-site in an effort to restore calm. He explained that bird strikes, which occur when an aircraft collides with birds or other wildlife during takeoff or landing, can sometimes cause significant engine or structural damage.
“To avert further escalation, my team and I rushed to the terminal where I addressed over one hundred passengers scheduled to fly Abuja–Owerri,” Achimugu said in a post on his verified X handle.
He confirmed that the affected UNA aircraft had been grounded for safety inspections following the bird strike, but delays in the airline’s communication escalated tensions among passengers.
“Passengers became irate, and some turned violent. One destroyed laptops belonging to the airline, assaulted staff, and injured a FAAN AVSEC personnel,” Achimugu added.
The NCAA confirmed that UNA has agreed to provide 15 per cent compensation on passengers’ next flights and rescheduled the Abuja–Owerri route for 10 a.m. the following day. Airlines were also instructed to communicate with passengers via email by 4 p.m. Thursday.
Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA has consistently advised carriers to improve communication during disruptions, especially in December, a month prone to operational challenges. He assured that the authority would monitor UNA’s compliance until all affected passengers reach their destinations.
United Nigeria Airlines issued a statement confirming the cancellations, attributing the disruptions to the bird strike. The airline said the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from service for comprehensive inspections in line with safety protocols.
The airline apologised for the inconvenience, stressing its commitment to operational safety and pledging to provide timely updates, rebooking assistance, and support to all affected travellers.
