Air Peace Flight Grounded After Bird Strike at Kano Airport

(An Air Peace aircraft. Photo by Thestar)

An Air Peace aircraft has been grounded after suffering a bird strike upon landing at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while operating a scheduled flight from Abuja to Kano.

The airline disclosed the incident on Wednesday, explaining that the aircraft was withdrawn from service in line with standard aviation safety procedures shortly after the bird strike occurred.

It is currently undergoing technical assessments to determine the extent of any damage before being cleared to return to service.

To minimize disruption, Air Peace said it promptly deployed an alternative aircraft to continue operations on the route, ensuring affected passengers reached their destinations safely.

The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and appealed for understanding from passengers.

The incident adds to a string of recent bird strike cases affecting airline operations across Nigeria.

Such incidents occur when birds collide with aircraft during takeoff, landing, or flight, and while many result in only minor damage, others can lead to significant repair costs and operational delays.

Aviation experts have linked the rising frequency of these incidents to environmental conditions around airports, including open refuse dumps, poor waste management, and water bodies that attract birds challenges compounded in Nigeria by rapid urban development around airport corridors.

Although airport authorities maintain wildlife patrol teams and bird-control measures, such incidents continue to occur, prompting renewed attention to wildlife hazard management as both an environmental and operational concern within the aviation sector.

Air Peace reaffirmed that safety remains its top priority, expressing empathy for affected passengers and reiterating its commitment to meeting all regulatory and operational safety standards.