Sri Lanka’s national airline experienced unexpected turbulence on Tuesday when it was revealed that one of its planes had been grounded for three days due to an uninvited passenger: a rat.
The furry intruder was discovered aboard the Sri Lankan Airlines Airbus A330 during a flight from Lahore, Pakistan, prompting an extensive inspection to ensure it hadn’t caused damage to vital aircraft components.
An airline official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the aircraft has since resumed operations but acknowledged the disruptive impact on the overall flight schedule.
“The aircraft was grounded for three days at Colombo,” the official stated. “The plane could not be flown without ensuring that the rat was no longer on board. Fortunately, it was found deceased.”
Facing financial challenges amounting to over $1.8 billion in losses as of March 2023, the state-owned carrier also contends with three additional aircraft grounded for more than a year out of its fleet of 23. Moreover, the airline lacks the necessary foreign exchange reserves to cover essential engine overhauls.
Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva voiced concerns that such incidents could deter potential investors interested in the debt-laden airline.
Efforts to privatize the airline have encountered obstacles despite several government initiatives, including a previous offer to sell it for a nominal sum of one dollar, which failed to attract interest. The International Monetary Fund, which provided Sri Lanka with a $2.9 billion bailout last year, has underscored state-owned enterprises like the national carrier as significant fiscal burdens.
Once a profitable venture, Sri Lankan Airlines faced a downturn following the termination of a management agreement with Emirates in 2008, stemming from a dispute with then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
As the airline grapples with this rodent-induced setback, broader questions about its financial sustainability and future ownership loom large amidst mounting fiscal pressures.
