New Delhi: A Ryanair flight from Rome to Germany was unexpectedly delayed when a feline stowaway was discovered hiding within the aircraft’s electrical bay. The resulting game of hide-and-seek between engineers and the elusive kitten caused a two-day grounding of the Boeing 737.
According to the New York Post, the drama began last week just before takeoff when crew members heard meowing sounds emanating from the plane. Maintenance workers, alerted to the unusual noise, launched an inspection. They eventually located a black-and-white kitten nestled within the electrical bay, a highly sensitive area of the aircraft.
Retrieving the cat proved to be a difficult task. Every attempt to capture the kitten resulted in its retreat further into the plane’s wiring, raising concerns about potential technical malfunctions should the flight proceed. Grounding the aircraft was deemed necessary to ensure the safety of the crew and passengers.
For two days, engineers and crew members tried various tactics to coax the cat out of its hiding place, including removing panels to track its movement, the New York Post reported. The efforts resembled a “cat and mouse” chase, with the feline consistently evading capture.
Finally, an open door provided the kitten with an opportunity to escape. It voluntarily exited the aircraft, strolled down the stairs, and made its way across the runway, much to the relief of everyone involved.
While passengers faced inconvenience due to the delay, the incident also incurred significant costs for Ryanair, as the plane remained grounded until the situation was resolved.
The incident also recalls a similar event in 2021 when a cat on a flight from Sudan to Qatar caused chaos in the cockpit, attacking the pilot and forcing an emergency landing.
