As someone with a phobia of just about anything that crawls (well, other than babies) or slithers, I sure am happy I wasn’t on this flight…
Rat flies across the Atlantic on KLM, causing issues
KLM operates a triangle route from Amsterdam (AMS) to Aruba (AUA) to Bonaire (BON) to Amsterdam. This past week, one flight was a little more eventful than usual.
While the Airbus A330 was flying across the Atlantic from Amsterdam to Aruba, passengers spotted a giant rat in the cabin. Specifically, the rat appeared to be crawling on the rod above the curtains, and then into or around the overhead bins… eek!
Obviously seeing a rat in the cabin is an unpleasant discovery, but beyond that, rats could also potentially pose a safety risk, as they can chew wiring that could impact aircraft systems (it’s very unlikely, but it could happen). There wasn’t any practical way to divert over the Atlantic, so the plane continued its journey to Aruba, as planned.
However, in Aruba the onward flights were canceled, so that the plane could be thoroughly cleaned, and the rat could be caught. This ended up stranding 254 passengers, who were supposed to take either the flight between Aruba and Bonaire, or the flight from Aruba or Bonaire back to Amsterdam.
A KLM spokesperson stated that “the plane was flying over the ocean, the pilot didn’t really have any other choice,” and “the passengers remained calm, and the staff kept a close eye on the animal.”
Talk about a costly stowaway “passenger” for KLM
KLM has a duty of care for passengers, meaning the SkyTeam carrier had to cover the hotels and other out-of-pocket expenses for anyone who was impacted by this operational issue. Beyond that, though, would passengers be entitled to the up to €600 per person in compensation offered under EC261? Well, it depends…
The compensation only isn’t offered in “extraordinary circumstances,” and it’s often case law that decides what is and isn’t considered extraordinary, since it’s not otherwise clearly defined. If KLM had any responsibility for that rat getting on the plane, then technically compensation would be due. Meanwhile if it somehow snuck on in a way that couldn’t be avoided, it wouldn’t be due. I suspect that the airline will claim this is an extraordinary circumstance.
I will say this — Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has a rat problem. Last year I reviewed the KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam, and as usual when reviewing lounges, I was among the first passengers of the morning in the terminal. I felt like I was waking up rats, because I couldn’t believe how many I saw just running around the terminal. Even in the lounge, I saw no fewer than five running around… eek!
So I suspect it’s not KLM’s fault, but it does seem that the airport could maybe control that situation a bit better.
Bottom line
Passengers flying across the Atlantic on KLM to warmer weather were in for a surprise, when a huge rat appeared in the cabin. The flight continued as usual, but the onward flight was canceled, so that the cabin could be inspected and cleaned.
Obviously stuff like this happens, as we see all kinds of critters make their way into aircraft cabins. It’s definitely something we’re better off not thinking about, or else I’d be super paranoid on every flight.
What do you make of this KLM rat situation?
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