KLM Flight to Aruba Cancelled After Rat on Board

A KLM flight from Amsterdam to Aruba encountered an unusual disruption on December 10 when passengers spotted a rat scurrying through the cabin, prompting the airline to cancel the return leg to Amsterdam via Bonaire and strand more than 250 travelers overnight.

The rodent was discovered mid-flight over the Atlantic Ocean, as the Airbus A330 carried passengers toward the Caribbean island. According to airline officials, the crew had no option but to proceed to Aruba, where the aircraft landed safely. Upon arrival, the plane was grounded for a thorough cleaning and inspection to address potential hazards. The cancellation affected not only those on the inbound flight but also passengers waiting to connect to Bonaire or return to the Dutch capital.

Video footage shared on social media captured the incident, showing the rat, described by onlookers as large, crawling along a curtain rail and leaping onto overhead storage bins. Passengers reacted with visible discomfort, though officials noted that the group remained calm throughout. Crew members monitored the animal, which did not approach food or passengers.

"This was a very exceptional incident," a KLM spokesperson told reporters....