File picture used for reference only.
Dubai: An Emirates flight from Muscat to Dubai was cancelled after baggage handlers discovered a snake in the aircraft's cargo hold.
The animal was found before Sunday's flight from Oman, the airline said in a statement, adding that the aircraft was returned to service after being thoroughly searched.
"Emirates can confirm that flight EK0863 from Muscat to Dubai on 8 January 2017, was cancelled due to a detection of a snake in the cargo hold prior to passengers boarding," an Emirates spokesperson said in a statement.
"Engineering and cleaning teams are working to clear the aircraft to re-enter service," the spokesperson added. "We apologise for the inconvience caused."
The aircraft re-entered service soon after the reptile was removed.
First class passengers on an Aeromexico flight in November were confronted by a snake that fell from an overhead storage compartment. Nobody was hurt in the incident but a few passengers were rattled.
