Bird Strike Disrupts Air Peace Lagos–Port Harcourt Flight, Triggers Safety Checks

|By Babatunji Wusu

Air Peace has confirmed that a bird strike disrupted its Lagos–Port Harcourt flight on Thursday, prompting immediate operational adjustments to safeguard passengers.

The airline disclosed in a statement that the incident occurred as the aircraft landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport. Following the impact, Air Peace activated mandatory safety inspections on the affected aircraft in line with aviation regulations.

To prevent extended delays on the route, the airline deployed an alternative aircraft to operate subsequent Lagos–Port Harcourt flights.

Air Peace spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, expressed regret over the disruption and assured passengers that measures were being taken to minimise the inconvenience caused.

“We sincerely sympathise with our passengers affected by this unexpected occurrence and are working tirelessly to reduce the impact of the disruption,” Efe said.

The airline’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, has repeatedly identified bird strikes as one of Air Peace’s most serious operational challenges, stressing that such incidents often result in costly repairs and prolonged disruptions to flight schedules.

“Just one bird strike can render an aircraft unserviceable for weeks. There is no alternative when it happens. These incidents often lead to costly delays and major disruptions,” Onyema noted.

Air Peace had earlier revealed in December 2025 that it recorded 49 bird strike incidents nationwide between January and September, underscoring that even a single strike can ground an aircraft for an extended period.