A HUGE rat was seen scuttling through the cabin of a crowded KLM flight to Aruba, grounding the plane on the Caribbean island.
Shocking footage shows the large rodent scampering about the cabin of the Airbus A330.
The Caribbean-bound flight had left Amsterdam Schiphol on December 10 with a return flight planned via Bonaire.
But passengers got a nasty shock as the plane flew over the Atlantic ocean.
An enormous rat had stowed away somewhere on the aircraft, and began to wreak havoc in the cabin.
Footage shows terrified passengers crying out in shock as the rodent scurries along a curtain rail.
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There could be no emergency landing because the free-riding rodent was found while the plane was over the sea.
Instead, the flight was grounded in Aruba, and a second planned flight from Aruba to Amsterdam via Bonaire was cancelled.
A KLM spokesperson told The Sun: “The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew are always our top priority.”
“That is why we cancelled the flight from Aruba via Bonaire to Amsterdam on December 10th, so that the aircraft could be thoroughly cleaned before being put back into service.”
The axed return flight left more than 250 passengers stranded on the island.
A KLM spokesperson told The Sun that the incident was “very exceptional”.
They said the situation was “very unfortunate for the passengers” but said staff quickly brought the rat under control.
A staff member was reportedly bitten on the hand while trying to catch the pest.
KLM said: “We don’t know how the animal got on board.”
The spokesperson added that because the rat was discovered over the ocean “the pilot didn’t really have any other choice” but to keep flying as normal until the plane could land in Aruba.
They could not confirm where the rodent was during the flight, but said it did not come near the food.
Rodents like rats are a hygiene risk, but the animals can also chew through airplane wires, which can lead to fires or other safety issues.
They said: “But the passengers remained calm, and the staff kept a close eye on the animal.
“We cancelled the return flight because the plane had to be specially and thoroughly cleaned due to the rat.
“It’s very frustrating and unpleasant. This is a unique situation for us as well. I can’t remember ever experiencing this before.”
Hotels were arranged for the stranded holiday-goers, who can also request compensation, according to KLM.
A spokesperson told The Sun: “We regret the inconvenience this situation caused and sincerely apologize to the passengers affected.”