A scheduled flight from Shanghai encountered an unexpected delay when a passenger’s pet sugar glider, a small Australian possum, broke loose in the cabin, prompting a temporary evacuation of passengers. The incident, reported by CNN, unfolded on an Eastern Airlines flight, with authorities from the Shanghai Police International Airport Branch addressing the situation.
Passengers were obliged to temporarily disembark the aircraft after the sugar glider escaped its owner’s control within the passenger cabin, evading capture by finding hiding spots. According to reports, individuals on board were directed to wait in the terminal building until the elusive creature could be apprehended. Videos circulating on social media depicted flight attendants diligently searching under passenger seats, while others showed concerned individuals gathered at a counter.
The tension escalated as one passenger exclaimed in a video, “Call the police,” to which another responded, urging for an apology from the pet’s owner.
Following a concerted effort, the sugar glider was successfully captured. However, the pet’s owner faced repercussions for violating regulations. The Shanghai Police International Airport Branch issued a statement on their Weibo social media account, identifying the individual as a 34-year-old woman surnamed Guo. Guo was detained by authorities for her breach of regulations, classified as causing a disturbance on public transportation.
The flight, which was en route to Jinan on June 10, 2024, eventually departed from Shanghai approximately an hour behind schedule. It landed at Ji’nan’s Yaoqiang Airport just before midnight, experiencing a delay of 62 minutes from its expected arrival time.
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