A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight from Oslo, Norway, to Malaga, Spain, was forced to make an emergency landing on Wednesday, September 17, 2024, after a passenger discovered a live mouse in her in-flight meal. The incident caused the aircraft to divert to Copenhagen, where passengers were transferred to a different plane to continue their journey. The airline, known for its strict safety protocols, launched an investigation into the matter, noting the rare nature of the event.
According to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP) and the BBC, the rodent was spotted as a passenger opened her meal during the flight. The surprise discovery immediately triggered safety concerns, leading the flight crew to make the decision to land at Copenhagen Airport. SAS spokesperson Oystein Schmidt confirmed that the presence of a mouse on board posed a potential “safety risk” to passengers. While the plane made a safe landing, passengers experienced delays as they awaited a new aircraft to take them to their final destination of Malaga.
One of the passengers on board, Jarle Borrestad, shared his firsthand account of the ordeal in a Facebook post. Borrestad described the shock of witnessing the incident and stated, “Believe it or not. A lady next to me here at SAS opened the food and out jumped a mouse. Now we have turned around and landed at CPH [Copenhagen Airport] for flight changes.”
While rodents on planes are exceptionally uncommon, the risks they pose are significant. Beyond the immediate hygiene concerns, rodents have been known to cause serious safety issues on aircraft. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) warns that mice can chew through electrical wiring, which could result in short circuits or even fires on board. Additionally, mouse droppings and urine are known to cause corrosion to aircraft materials, further elevating the potential risk to passengers and crew. The association highlights the importance of swift action when a rodent is detected, as their presence can compromise both the cleanliness and structural integrity of an airplane.
Following the landing, SAS issued a statement noting that the flight change was a “fully normal procedure” in the case of rodent detection. The spokesperson clarified that after the aircraft’s safe landing in Copenhagen, passengers were transferred to a new plane and given fresh catering. Scandinavian Airlines emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, explaining that its safety procedures include a full inspection of the aircraft and supplier processes. “We have very clear procedures to follow, including full inspection of the aircraft and of all our suppliers’ processes to see what needs to be improved or changed in order to avoid scenarios like these,” the airline said in a statement to PEOPLE magazine.
Despite the quick response and reassurances, the incident has raised questions about food safety and quality control within the airline industry. With in-flight meals being sourced from various suppliers across different countries, ensuring consistent standards of hygiene can be challenging. For passengers, stories like this are rare but concerning, as they reveal potential vulnerabilities in the typically stringent checks conducted before and during flights. SAS, like most international carriers, relies on partnerships with catering companies to provide meals on board, and the airline is now conducting a detailed investigation into the origin of the mouse.
According to BBC, SAS spokesperson Oystein Schmidt reiterated that such incidents “happen extremely rarely,” yet the airline is committed to taking every possible precaution to avoid similar events in the future. The investigation into the mouse’s presence will not only focus on the specific flight but also examine the broader supply chain and food handling processes.
The emergency landing, while disruptive, ended safely, and passengers continued their journey with no further issues reported. Scandinavian Airlines is one of Europe’s leading carriers, serving millions of passengers each year, and this event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges faced by the aviation industry. While aviation safety protocols are designed to minimize risk, unexpected incidents like this underscore the importance of vigilance at every stage, from food preparation to in-flight service.
SAS has not yet provided an exact timeline for the conclusion of its investigation, but the airline’s swift action and public communication demonstrate its commitment to maintaining its reputation for safety and reliability. As air travel continues to rebound after the pandemic, passengers are likely to pay closer attention to hygiene and safety standards in the industry. For now, SAS customers can rest assured that measures are being taken to prevent any recurrence of this highly unusual event.
