When TAP Air Portugal flight crews prepared for their usual routine in the Azores, they didn’t anticipate a rodent revolution in the cargo hold. What was supposed to be a straightforward flight to Lisbon turned into a four-day ordeal after 132 hamsters escaped from their carriers mid-journey.
The furry escapees, part of a shipment for a local pet store, had chewed through their cages during transit. Baggage handlers at Ponta Delgada Airport discovered the chaos after finding shredded crates in the plane’s hold.
No Hamster Left Behind (Almost)
The incident sparked an immediate search operation. Maintenance crews scoured every inch of the plane, searching for rodents hiding in nooks and crannies. With the threat of hamsters potentially damaging crucial wiring, the Airbus A320 was grounded until all but 16 of the critters were caught.
Though the airline didn’t comment publicly, insiders revealed that recapturing the hamsters was like “a bizarre wildlife rescue mission.” The plane finally returned to Lisbon after the remaining rodents were deemed no longer a risk.
A Not-So-Rare Rodent Escapade
While it may sound outlandish, this wasn’t the first time rodents have disrupted flights. Cargo hold incidents like these underscore the importance of secure animal transport. And while passengers were left wondering why their flight was delayed for days, one thing’s certain: TAP Air Portugal won’t forget this hamster escapade anytime soon.
