Scandinavian Airlines flight forced to land after mouse leaps out of passenger's meal. See post

Scandinavian Airlines emphasised that such occurrences are exceptionally rare, and assured the public that established protocols for dealing with rodents were followed.

A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Oslo to Málaga was unexpectedly diverted to Copenhagen after a mouse was found in a passenger's meal tray, prompting safety concerns onboard. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and according to the airline, the diversion was due to strict regulations that prohibit rodents on flights, as they can pose serious risks, such as damaging electrical wiring.

The mouse was discovered when a passenger opened their meal tray, sparking alarm among travellers. Jarle Borrestad, a fellow passenger, took to social media, sharing that the rodent leapt out of the tray, unsettling those nearby. In response, the pilot made the decision to land in Copenhagen, where passengers were transferred to another flight to complete their journey to Málaga.

Scandinavian Airlines emphasised that such occurrences are exceptionally rare, and assured the public that established protocols for dealing with rodents were followed. "This is something that happens extremely rarely," a spokesperson said, adding that a thorough review with the airline’s suppliers was underway to prevent future incidents.

While this event stands out due to the presence of a rodent, similar instances of animals causing disruptions on flights have occurred in the past. In 2019, an Air India flight from Hyderabad to Vishakapatman was delayed for 12 hours after a rat was spotted in the cabin shortly before takeoff. Similarly, in 2017, a flight from London to San Francisco was delayed after a mouse was seen on the plane.

Although such situations are rare, airlines take them seriously due to the potential safety risks posed by animals, especially when it comes to the possibility of damage to critical flight systems. Scandinavian Airlines has pledged to implement further checks to avoid such issues in the future.

Meanwhile, the fate of the mouse remained unclear, but no further disruptions were reported after the flight change.