Pets Release In Cabinet: Airline Flight Delayed, All Passengers Forced Down

JAKARTA - A pet was released in the aircraft cabin, when the owner violated the ban that forced all passengers to be unloaded and delayed flights.

A sugar glider escaped on a Chinese Eastern Airlines plane on Monday, ran away from its owner, hid in the cabin and finally forced passengers to temporarily get off the plane.

"On a flight from Shanghai to Jinan on June 10, 2024, a passenger surnamed Guo (a woman, 34) broke the rules and brought the pet glider's sugar into the plane," Shanghai Police International Airport Branch said in a statement on Weibo's social media account., reported CNN June 11.

"The pet animal escaped in the cabin and was arrested by someone else," he continued.

Local Chinese media said the incident occurred on a MU5599 flight from Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport. Videos posted on social media showed a flight attendant kneeling on the cabin floor and looking for the animal.

Reportedly, all passengers were finally asked to get off the plane and wait in the terminal building until the animal was caught. Social videos re-uploaded by local media showed passengers gathering in front of the counter at the airport to negotiate with airline staff.

In one video, a female passenger suggests: "(Let's) call the police." A male passenger agreed and said: "Get him out and (make him) apologize to everyone!" The female passenger shouted again at the airline staff: "You guys, the airport should also call the police. How can she ride (with pets)?"

Police said flights had been delayed "due to safety concerns" and the animal owner had been detained.

"Currently, Guo has been placed under administrative detention by the police in accordance with the law on his illegal behavior that disrupts order in public transportation," the police statement said.

The flight finally departed more than an hour after scheduled time, arriving at Yaoqiang Airport, Ji'nan shortly before midnight, or about 62 minutes from its original schedule.

According to local media, the airline has not offered compensation or issued an apology to passengers.