A Dubai-based airline, Emirates, on Monday said one of its flights from Muscat, Oman, to the UAE was cancelled the previous day after a snake was spotted slithering in the cargo hold.
It added that no passengers were aboard the aircraft when the reptile was spotted.
The airline said, “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.
“Engineering and cleaning teams are working to clear the aircraft to re-enter service. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”
The carrier later confirmed the serpent was eventually captured and the plane has been returned to service.
Meanwhile, the airline has said that it currently has over 60 Nigerians as employees contrary to the recent news that it employs only 10 Nigerians leading to big trouble with the Senate.
In a statement made available to our correspondent, the airline said, “Emirates employs more than 130 Nigerian nationals across the Emirates group, of which over 60 are employed in Nigeria and not 10 as reported in some local media.
“Emirates’ operation also supports many more jobs in Nigeria’s aviation services supply chain such as in ground handling and catering, and brings broader benefits to the Nigerian economy by supporting tourism and trade.
“The airline prides itself on its diversity and employs workers from more than 170 countries around the world and connects people from all backgrounds across our international network. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for available vacancies from all nationalities, including Nigerian nationals.”
Punch
