Jun 23, (Emirates 247): A rogue rodent found its way on board an Emirates plane bound for Dubai last week, forcing the carrier to cancel its flight and accommodate passengers in a hotel overnight.

The incident occurred on the June 15 EK038 flight, which was carrying passengers from Birmingham to Dubai.

Emirates confirmed the incident, stating the rodent was spotted after pushback from the gate.

In a statement, it said: “Emirates can confirm that flight EK038 from Birmingham to Dubai returned to stand shortly after pushback as a rodent was detected on board.

"Passengers were accommodated in hotels overnight and were re-routed on other available Emirates flights to Dubai.

"Engineering and cleaning teams worked to clear the aircraft to re-enter service. We apologise for the inconvenience caused."

Incidentally, former boxing heavyweight world champion David Haye was onboard the aborted flight, who tweeted the incident on his official Twitter account saying: “On tarmac and flight got cancelled as tiny mouse running around cabin. So spending another night. What’s hot in Birmingham tonight?”

This was the first of two separate incidents for the Dubai-based carrier last week, which also saw an Emirates flight from Denpasar Bali diverted to Chennai, while en route to Dubai, over a passenger emergency.

The June 16 incident occurred when MedLink doctors, working with the airline cabin crew, informed the carrier that a diversion was necessary for the safety of the sick passenger.

The airline stated: “Emirates flight EK399 from Denpasar Bali to Dubai on 16 June was diverted to Chennai due to a passenger medical emergency.

"The passenger was treated by Cabin Crew working with MedLink doctors who advised that a medical diversion was necessary.

"Once the aircraft arrived in Chennai, the sick passenger was assisted off the aircraft and was transferred to the hospital, accompanied by Emirates Chennai airport staff. The flight then continued to Dubai."