Over 250 KLM passengers were left stranded on Aruba and Bonaire after their return flight to Amsterdam was canceled because a rat was discovered on board the aircraft. The incident has led to unexpected overnight stays and rebooking headaches for hundreds of travellers caught in the Caribbean right before the busy holiday period.
How the rat was discovered
The rat was first seen on Wednesday evening in the cabin of a KLM Airbus A330 operating a flight from Amsterdam to Aruba and Bonaire. Mid-Atlantic, someone spotted the animal moving through the cabin, but the pilots chose to continue to Aruba rather than turn back to Schiphol, as the situation did not pose an immediate safety risk during the flight itself. Video later published by Dutch media showed the rat slipping from a baggage compartment and disappearing behind a curtain.
Once on the ground, KLM decided the aircraft could not operate the scheduled return service to Amsterdam until it had been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Rodents on planes are taken very seriously because they can damage wiring and other technical systems, potentially affecting flight safety.
Photo Credits: Walter Sietinga/Pexels
Canceled flight and stranded travellers
Because the aircraft was taken out of service, Thursday’s return flight from Aruba via Bonaire to Amsterdam was canceled, affecting 254 passengers in total. Some were due to board directly in Aruba, while others were booked on the short hop onward to Bonaire before continuing to the Netherlands. Travellers were already at the gate ready to board when the captain informed them the flight would not depart due to the rat on board.
KLM has arranged hotel accommodation on Aruba and Bonaire for the stranded passengers and is working to rebook them on alternative flights back to the Netherlands as soon as possible. The airline has acknowledged how frustrating the situation is for those who expected to be back in Amsterdam and said passenger safety and well-being were the decisive factors in canceling the flight.
What happens to the aircraft now?
Before the aircraft can return to service, it must undergo intensive cleaning and technical inspections to ensure the rat is removed and no damage has been done to cables or other critical systems. Only once engineers and pest-control specialists give the all-clear will the plane be allowed to fly again.
While such incidents are rare, airlines have strict protocols for dealing with animals on board, especially rodents, because even a small animal can cause serious problems if it gnaws through insulation or wiring. The episode highlights how a seemingly minor issue can disrupt an entire flight schedule and leave hundreds of travellers unexpectedly stuck far from home.
