The latest incident involved an Embraer 190 operating a scheduled flight from Benin City Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. According to the airline, the aircraft suffered damage to its nose landing gear door linkage during take-off after a bird strike.
This marks the third such occurrence in less than two days and the seventh reported case by the airline in 2026 alone. The growing frequency has forced multiple aircraft out of service, disrupting schedules and reducing available fleet capacity.
In line with aviation safety protocols, the affected aircraft has been withdrawn from operations pending detailed inspection and necessary repairs. The airline reiterated that it only discloses incidents that result in aircraft being grounded, suggesting that the total number of bird strikes—both minor and severe—may be higher.
The spike in incidents has placed a spotlight on wildlife hazard management at Nigerian airports. Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which is responsible for airport operations and safety, has been urged by the airline to strengthen measures aimed at controlling bird activity around airfields.
Bird strikes are a known risk in aviation, particularly during take-off and landing phases, and can cause significant damage to aircraft components such as engines, windshields, and landing gear systems. While modern aircraft are designed to withstand certain levels of impact, repeated incidents within a short timeframe raise operational and safety concerns.
Earlier reports had already highlighted similar disruptions involving other aircraft in the airline’s fleet, including a CRJ-900 and an Airbus A320-200, both of which were affected by bird strikes in recent months. In one instance, a flight from Port Harcourt to Abuja experienced an impact on the aircraft’s nose section, though all safety procedures were successfully executed.
For passengers, the ripple effects have included delays, cancellations, and rescheduled flights. The airline has issued apologies for the inconvenience, emphasising that safety remains its top priority while efforts are ongoing to minimise disruptions.
The situation underscores a broader challenge within Nigeria’s aviation sector: balancing increasing flight operations with effective environmental and wildlife control around airports. Without enhanced mitigation strategies, industry stakeholders warn that such incidents could continue to affect reliability and operational efficiency.