An Air Peace flight operating on the Lagos-Owerri route was forced to make an emergency return to Lagos on Saturday after a bird strike compromised the safety of the aircraft shortly after takeoff.
The incident disrupted the airline’s scheduled operations and prompted an official apology to affected passengers.
The flight, with designation P47150, had barely taken off from Lagos before a bird collided with the aircraft mid-air. The pilot, prioritising passenger safety, made a swift decision to return to base. Subsequently, Air Peace arranged a replacement aircraft to continue the journey to Owerri.
In a statement released on Sunday, the airline informed customers of potential delays across its network due to the incident. It appealed for understanding and patience while efforts were being made to minimise further disruptions.
"We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by flight disruptions across some of our routes today," the airline said. "We understand the frustration this may cause and appeal to our valued passengers for their patience as we address these unexpected challenges."
Spike in Bird Strikes Raises Safety and Operational Concerns
Air Peace disclosed that the Lagos-Owerri bird strike marked the 34th such incident the airline has recorded in 2025 alone. In the past five years, a total of 115 bird strikes have occurred across the carrier's domestic operations a worrying statistic that raises broader questions about aviation safety standards in Nigeria.
An airline representative, speaking to ThisDay on condition of anonymity, voiced concern over the recurring nature of these incidents, highlighting that such events are typically beyond the airline’s control.
“This marks the 34th bird strike for us this year, and it’s only mid-year. These are not issues the airline can fix alone. Passengers often blame us for delays, not knowing that we are dealing with systemic challenges,” the official said.
Just a week earlier, Air Peace had experienced similar bird strikes on flights bound for Owerri and Port Harcourt, resulting in damaged aircraft being temporarily grounded for repairs. These aircraft only recently returned to service after undergoing maintenance.
Responsibility Lies with FAAN, Not Airlines
While airlines often take the heat for flight delays and cancellations, industry experts point out that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is responsible for ensuring wildlife, including birds, are kept at a safe distance from flight paths around airports.
FAAN recently announced it was rolling out new wildlife management protocols and technologies to tackle the bird strike menace. However, the impact of these measures is yet to be seen, with many airlines still recording frequent incidents.
Aviation analysts have called for urgent intervention, including more robust wildlife control systems, improved runway inspections, and collaboration between airport authorities and airlines to mitigate risks.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria's aviation sector continues to grow, safety concerns such as bird strikes remain a serious threat to flight operations and punctuality. Airlines like Air Peace are urging authorities to step up their efforts to implement effective wildlife management solutions across the nation’s airports. Until then, passengers may need to brace for more delays as carriers prioritize safety over speed.
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