Air Peace has confirmed that a bird strike disrupted its Lagos-Port Harcourt flight on Thursday, forcing operational adjustments to ensure passenger safety.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the airline explained that the incident occurred when the aircraft landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
As a result, mandatory safety inspections were carried out on the affected aircraft, while an alternative plane was deployed to operate subsequent flights on the route.
Spokesperson of the airline, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, said the company regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers and was taking steps to reduce the impact of the disruption.
“We sincerely sympathise with our passengers affected by this unexpected occurrence and are working tirelessly to minimise any inconvenience,” Efe stated.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has on several occasions highlighted bird strikes as one of the airline’s most significant operational challenges, noting that such incidents frequently result in expensive repairs and prolonged flight disruptions.
“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 to flight schedules,” Onyema explained.
In December 2025, the airline revealed that it recorded 49 bird strike incidents across the country between January and September, emphasising that even a single strike has the potential to ground an aircraft for an extended period.
