An Air Peace aircraft was grounded at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after it collided with a large antelope while taxiing on the runway on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The collision resulted in the animal being decimated and the aircraft being marked as Aircraft on Ground (AOG), causing disruptions to scheduled flights.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, who explained that engineers are currently assessing and repairing the aircraft. He noted that such wildlife-related incidents are beyond the control of airlines but acknowledged that passengers affected by the delays are naturally frustrated.
Achimugu emphasized that despite the circumstances, airlines remain responsible for providing passengers with timely information, refunds, and care, and can face sanctions if they fail to meet these obligations.
This incident follows previous wildlife runway encounters in Nigeria and highlights ongoing challenges in airport wildlife management.
Efforts are underway to restore normal flight operations as quickly as possible
