Chukwu Obinna 
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – An Air Peace passenger aircraft suffers a bird strike while landing at Port Harcourt International Airport, forcing the airline to ground the aircraft and deploy a replacement flight.
The Lagos–Port Harcourt service experienced the incident during final approach on Thursday, triggering standard aviation safety procedures. Engineers immediately withdraw the aircraft from service for mandatory technical inspection, delaying onward travel for passengers.
Air Peace spokesman Osifo-Whiskey Efe confirms the disruption, apologising to affected customers.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by this unexpected incident and are doing everything possible to ensure passenger safety and continuity,” Efe says.
The incident highlights a growing operational challenge for Nigerian airlines. Air Peace records 49 bird strike incidents nationwide within the first nine months of 2025, according to company data.
Speaking earlier on Arise TV, Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema describes bird strikes as one of the most costly aviation hazards confronting domestic carriers.
“One bird strike can ground an aircraft for weeks. Once it happens, engineers must carry out exhaustive checks before clearance,” Onyema says.
Beyond safety risks, Onyema explains that bird strikes inflict heavy financial losses, compounding high operational costs, multiple taxation and infrastructure gaps already burdening Nigerian airlines.
Aviation analysts have repeatedly urged airport authorities to strengthen wildlife management around runways through habitat control, radar monitoring and bird deterrent technologies.
Thursday’s incident adds to renewed concerns about airport safety infrastructure nationwide. Air Peace eventually transports affected passengers to Port Harcourt using a substitute aircraft under its contingency plan.
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