Passengers travelling with United Nigeria Airlines were left stranded and angry on Thursday after a bird strike on one of the airline’s aircraft caused multiple flight cancellations across several routes from Abuja.
Videos circulating online showed a large crowd of frustrated passengers protesting at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Many accused the airline of abandoning them and failing to provide clear information about the disruption.
Another clip captured the spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, addressing the agitated passengers in an attempt to calm rising tensions.
A bird strike—an incident where an aircraft collides with a bird, usually during takeoff or landing—can cause anything from minor damage to serious engine failures. Airlines are required to ground affected aircraft for thorough safety checks before resuming operations.
Achimugu, in a statement shared via his verified X account, confirmed that NCAA officials stepped in to prevent the chaos at the terminal from escalating.
He explained that although the bird strike prompted the cancellation, the airline’s failure to communicate promptly worsened the situation.
“Passengers became irate, and some turned violent. One person destroyed the airline’s laptops, assaulted staff, and even injured a FAAN AVSEC officer,” he said.
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To compensate affected travellers, the airline agreed to offer a 15% discount on their next flight and rescheduled the Abuja–Owerri service to 10 a.m. on Friday. NCAA also instructed the airline to send an official communication to passengers by 4 p.m.
Achimugu noted that the Authority has repeatedly warned airlines, especially during the busy December season, to keep passengers well-informed during disruptions.
Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines confirmed the cancellations in an official statement, attributing them to a bird strike that forced one aircraft out of service for mandatory technical inspections.
The airline apologised for the inconvenience and appealed for patience, assuring customers that it is working to reduce the level of disruption and assist all affected passengers with updated travel arrangements.
The NCAA says it will monitor compliance until all passengers arrive safely at their destinations.
