Possum on a plane: Flight delayed in China after pet breaks loose on board

CNN —

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that ruin your day. For the passengers of a flight between the eastern Chinese cities of Shanghai and Jinan, it was a miniature pet possum.

The tiny sugar glider – a nocturnal animal resembling a flying squirrel – broke loose on a China Eastern Airlines flight on Monday, scurrying away from its owner, hiding in the cabin and eventually forcing passengers to temporarily disembark the plane.

“On a flight from Shanghai to Jinan on June 10, 2024, a passenger surnamed Guo (female, 34 years old) violated the regulations and took a pet sugar glider on board the plane,” Shanghai Police International Airport Branch said in a statement on its Weibo social media account.

“The pet escaped in the cabin and was captured by others.”

Chinese local media said the incident took place on flight MU5599 from Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport. Videos posted on social media appear to show a flight attendant kneeling on the ground and looking for the furry fugitive.

Passengers eventually had to disembark the airplane while the possum was tracked down.

It was reported that all the passengers were eventually made to disembark the plane and wait in the terminal building until the creature was captured. Social videos reposted by local media show passengers gathered in front of a counter at the airport negotiating with airline staff.

The escaped bear caused a delay at Dubai International Airport.

Related article Escaped bear delays flight in Dubai

In one video, a female passenger suggests: “(Let’s) call the police.” A male passenger agrees and says: “Get her out and (make her) apologize to everyone!” The female passenger shouts again toward airline staff: “You, the airport should call the