An Air Peace flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt was disrupted on Thursday after the aircraft experienced a bird strike upon arrival at Port Harcourt International Airport.
In a statement, the airline’s spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, said the incident required safety inspections on the affected plane and the deployment of another aircraft to carry passengers on subsequent flights.
“We deeply empathise with passengers affected by this unforeseen incident and are working diligently to minimise disruptions,” Efe said.
Bird strikes are an increasing challenge for local airlines. In December 2025, Air Peace reported 49 bird strikes across Nigeria between January and September, noting that even a single strike could ground an aircraft for weeks.
Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema told Arise TV that bird strikes pose a serious operational risk, often causing costly repairs and major delays.
“One bird strike could cripple your aircraft for the next month. At that moment, there is no two ways about it. These strikes often lead to costly delays and serious disruptions in flight schedules,” he said, adding that such incidents compound other challenges facing Nigerian airlines, including heavy taxation and operational constraints.
