An Air Peace domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt was delayed on Thursday after the aircraft suffered a bird strike while landing at Port Harcourt International Airport, forcing engineers to inspect the plane before it could return to service. The airline said safety checks and the need to deploy a replacement aircraft caused disruption to scheduled flights and passenger movements.

The incident highlights a growing issue for Nigerian carriers, with Air Peace reporting dozens of bird strike cases in recent years that have affected operations and increased safety concerns. Airlines have been scrambling to manage such wildlife hazards across multiple airports, often grounding or delaying flights when birds collide with aircraft.

Officials and industry stakeholders say bird strikes remain a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s aviation sector, prompting calls for enhanced airport wildlife management to protect both passengers and aircraft. Operators continue to emphasise strict safety protocols while seeking solutions to reduce future disruptions.