A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Oslo, Norway to Málaga, Spain was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Denmark on Wednesday after a mouse unexpectedly emerged from a passenger’s meal tray, the airline confirmed on Friday.
The rodent’s sudden appearance caused alarm among passengers and crew, prompting the decision to divert the flight. “Believe it or not. A lady next to me … opened her food and a mouse jumped out,” passenger Jarle Borrestad recounted on social media.
A spokesperson for Scandinavian Airlines addressed the unusual incident, stating, “This is something that happens extremely rarely. We have established procedures for such situations, which also include a review with our suppliers to ensure this does not happen again.”
Following the unexpected layover, passengers were transferred to another flight to complete their journey to Málaga. The fate of the mouse remains unclear.
The incident highlights the potential for unforeseen complications in air travel and the importance of stringent food safety measures in airline catering. It also raises questions about how the mouse managed to find its way into the sealed meal tray.
Scandinavian Airlines has not provided details on potential changes to their food handling procedures in light of this event. Aviation experts note that while such occurrences are indeed rare, they can have significant operational and reputational impacts on airlines.
The airline industry, already facing challenges in the post-pandemic era, will likely view this incident as a reminder of the need for vigilance in all aspects of passenger service and safety.
